Steam Family Sharing lets multiple people on the same computer play games from one library, but only one person at a time
Steam Family Sharing is Valve's system for letting household members access games you own without buying separate copies. When you set it up, you authorize your computer as a "family library computer." Anyone with a Steam account who logs into that computer can then play the games in your library — but only one person can play at a time, and only while logged in on that machine.
The person who owns the games (the account holder) can play those games on any computer where they log in. The other household members can only play on the authorized family computer. This is the trade-off: you get free access to a shared library, but you lose the ability to play simultaneously or remotely.
Steam Family Sharing is free. Valve does not charge a subscription or fee to set it up. You need only a Steam account for each person and access to the same computer.
Key Takeaways
- The account owner can play their games on any computer; family members can play only on the one computer you authorize as the family library computer.
- Only one person can play from the shared library at a time, even if multiple people are logged in on that computer.
- You set up Family Sharing by going to Settings > Family, entering the PIN you create, and then authorizing your computer as the family library computer.
- The account owner can remove someone from Family Sharing at any time, and doing so locks them out of the shared games when ready.
- Games with single-player DRM (like some older titles) may not work in Family Sharing, so check the store page before assuming a game will be available.
How to set up Steam Family Sharing on your computer
Start by opening Steam on the computer you want to share from. Click your username in the top right, then select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Family. You will see an option to set up Family Sharing; click it.
Steam will ask you to create a four-digit PIN. This PIN is what other household members will need to enter when they want to play a game from your library. Write it down or save it somewhere you both can find it. Do not use your Steam password as the PIN — they are separate.
Next, Steam will ask you to authorize this computer as your family library computer. Click the button to confirm. That is it. The next time someone else logs into Steam on that computer with their own account, they will see your games in their library under a "Family Library" section.
Who can play, when, and what happens when two people try at once
When you authorize a computer as your family library computer, anyone with a Steam account can log into that machine and see your games. They do not need to know your password. They just log in with their own account.
The rule is straightforward: only one person can play from the shared library at a time. If you are playing a game from your library and someone else tries to launch a game from the same library on that computer, Steam will ask them to wait until you stop playing, or it will offer to stop your game and let them play instead. If they choose to stop your game, you will be kicked out and lose any unsaved progress.
The account owner (you) can always play your games on any other computer where you log in, even while someone else is playing on the family computer. So if your child is playing on the family computer, you can still play on your laptop — just not from the shared library.
What games work and what does not
Most games on Steam work with Family Sharing. The main exception is games with third-party DRM — extra copy-protection software added by the publisher on top of Steam's own system. Games like Destiny 2, Ark: Survival Evolved, and some older titles use third-party DRM that blocks Family Sharing.
Before you assume a game will be available to family members, check the store page. Scroll down to the "Legal" section at the bottom. If it says "This game has third-party DRM," Family Sharing will not work for that title. The game will appear in the family member's library, but they will not be able to launch it.
DLC (downloadable content) and in-game purchases follow the same rule as the base game. If the base game works in Family Sharing, the DLC works too. If the base game is blocked, the DLC is blocked.
Removing someone from Family Sharing and what happens to their save files
You can remove a household member from Family Sharing at any time. Go back to Settings > Family, find their name in the list, and click the button to remove them. They will be locked out of your games when ready — they cannot play anything from your library anymore, even if they were in the middle of a game.
Their save files do not disappear. Save data is stored on their local computer and in their Steam Cloud (if the game supports it). Removing them from Family Sharing does not delete their progress. If you add them back later, their saves will still be there.
If you remove someone and then want to add them back, you can do so through the same Family Sharing menu. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you can add and remove people.
Privacy and account security when using Family Sharing
When you authorize a computer as your family library computer, anyone who logs into that machine can see and play your games. They cannot see your personal information, messages, or friends list — those stay private to your account. But they do have full access to your game library.
The PIN you create is only for launching games. It does not protect your account or give access to your Steam profile. If you are worried about someone changing your password or accessing your account, use a strong, unique password and enable Steam Guard (two-factor authentication). Steam Guard sends a code to your email or phone whenever someone logs into your account from a new device.
If you stop trusting someone in your household, remove them from Family Sharing when ready. They will lose access to your games right away. If you think they may have your password, change it.
Differences between Family Sharing and buying a second copy
Family Sharing is free but comes with limits: only one person plays at a time, and family members can only play on the authorized computer. Buying a second copy costs money but removes all those limits. Each person can play simultaneously on different computers, and the second account owner can play anywhere they log in.
For single-player games you play at different times, Family Sharing usually makes sense. For games where multiple household members want to play together or at the same time, buying a second copy is the only option. Some games offer family packs or discounted multi-copies, so check the store page before buying separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Family Sharing on more than one computer?
You can authorize only one computer as your family library computer at a time. If you want to switch which computer is authorized, go to Settings > Family and deauthorize the old one, then authorize a new one. The process takes a few minutes.
What if someone outside my household wants to use Family Sharing?
Steam's terms say Family Sharing is for household members only. Valve does not actively police this, but sharing with people who do not live with you violates the terms of service and could result in your account being suspended or banned.
Do I need to stay logged in for family members to play?
No. Once you authorize the computer as your family library computer, family members can log in with their own accounts and play your games whether you are logged in or not. You do not need to be online.
Can family members earn achievements and get trading cards?
Yes. Achievements, trading cards, and all other progress count toward their own account. Everything they earn belongs to them, not to you.
What happens if I move or get a new computer?
You can deauthorize the old computer and authorize a new one anytime through Settings > Family. There is no waiting period. Family members will lose access to your games on the old computer when ready but will regain access on the new one once you authorize it.