Steam Families Now Available to Everyone

Valve has officially released the Steam Families feature to all users following a successful beta earlier this year. Steam Families allows parents to share games, manage parental controls, and approve children's game purchase requests. This new system replaces the old Family Sharing and Family View features, which are now part of the updated Parental Controls. This is prepared by SSP.

One of the most notable improvements is that up to six members can play games from a shared library simultaneously. For example, if one member is playing a game, another member can play a different game at the same time. However, if they wish to play the same game concurrently, multiple copies are required. Notably, games can also be played offline if supported by Family Sharing.

Members of a Steam Family will have individual save games, achievements, and Workshop subscriptions. This feature is designed to encompass an immediate family or close household members. Adults can exit a Steam Family at any time but will have a one-year waiting period before joining or creating a new one. Children must be removed by an adult or with Steam support assistance.

To avoid potential issues, it’s important to trust those in your Steam Family since bans effectuated by one member for cheating can impact other members playing the shared copy. Valve plans to retire the old Family Sharing feature "eventually," encouraging users to transition to Steam Families.

To start using Steam Families, update your Steam client which now includes additional updates such as a redesigned screenshots manager.