How many Steam accounts can you link?

How Many Steam Accounts Can You Link?

Steam is one of the most popular digital distribution platforms for video games, allowing users to purchase, download, and play games on their Windows and macOS computers. Many gamers have multiple Steam accounts, either for personal reasons or to share games with friends and family. So, how many Steam accounts can you link?

Family Library Sharing

Family Library Sharing is a Steam feature that allows family members or close friends to share each other’s game libraries, providing a convenient way for families to share games without purchasing separate copies. Each Steam account can authorize Family Library Sharing on up to 5 accounts and up to 10 devices in a 90-day period. This includes accounts/devices that you have canceled sharing with in that same time period.

Using Steam With Multiple Accounts

While Steam allows for multiple accounts, there is a limitation on how you can use them. You can only use one account at a time, making it impossible to play different games on different accounts simultaneously. However, you can have multiple accounts logged into the Steam client at once, making it easy to manage your games and communities.

Sharing Games Through Family Library Sharing

To share games through Family Library Sharing, you need to authorize the accounts you want to share with. Here’s how:

• Log in to your Steam account on the computer you want to use as the "server" computer.
• Open the Steam client and navigate to the "Settings" menu.
• Click on "Family" and select "Family Library Sharing" from the dropdown menu.
• Add the accounts you want to share with using the "Add a New Member" button.
• Each account you add must agree to the terms and conditions of Family Library Sharing.
• Once an account is added, you can use it to play the games in your library as if they were your own.

Sharing Games Outside of Family Library Sharing

Outside of Family Library Sharing, you can share Steam games with friends and family using the "Share a Copy" feature. However, this feature is not as robust as Family Library Sharing and has some limitations.

• You can share a copy of a game with a friend or family member, but they can only play the game in single-player mode.
• You cannot share games purchased from the Steam Store within 2 weeks of buying them.
• You are not allowed to share a game if you have unfinished business in the game or if you have not received the game as a gift.

Conclusion

Steam’s Family Library Sharing feature allows you to share up to 5 accounts with friends and family, giving you more flexibility when playing games. However, each account can only be authorized once every 90 days, and you can’t use multiple accounts simultaneously.

While Steam has limitations on how many accounts you can link, it’s worth noting that the platform also has robust features for game sharing and management. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Family Library Sharing allows up to 5 accounts and 10 devices.
• Each account can only be authorized once every 90 days.
• You can only use one account at a time, but you can have multiple accounts logged into the Steam client at once.
• You can share games purchased from the Steam Store through Family Library Sharing or Share a Copy.

By understanding the limitations and features of Steam’s account linking capabilities, you can make informed decisions about how to share and manage your games.

Table: Steam Family Library Sharing Limits

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