Moving your Steam games to another account isn't as straightforward as copying files. Unlike some platforms, Steam's system is designed to link games to specific accounts for security and licensing reasons. This guide will explore the various methods and limitations involved in transferring your game library.
Can I Directly Transfer Steam Games to Another Account?
No, you cannot directly transfer Steam games to another account. Steam games are licensed to your account, not to a specific computer or storage device. Attempting to move game files manually will result in the games being unplayable on the new account. This is a crucial security measure implemented by Steam to prevent piracy and unauthorized access.
What Are My Options for Sharing or Giving Away Games?
While you can't directly transfer ownership, there are several alternatives depending on your situation:
1. Gifting Games
This is the officially supported method for sharing games. If you purchased a game that is giftable, you can send it as a gift to another Steam account. Check the game's store page; if it's giftable, you'll see an option to gift it during the purchase process or from your library. Remember that not all games are giftable.
2. Family Sharing
Steam's Family Sharing feature allows you to share your entire game library with other accounts designated as "authorized family members" on your primary account. This does not transfer ownership; rather, it allows authorized users to play the games from your library while you are not playing them. Only one person can play a shared game at a time. This is a convenient solution for sharing games within a household.
3. Selling Your Account (Not Recommended)
Selling your Steam account is against Steam's Terms of Service and carries significant risks. Your account could be banned, and you have no legal recourse if the buyer experiences problems. It's simply not worth the potential consequences.
How Do I Use Family Sharing on Steam?
Here's a step-by-step guide to utilizing Steam Family Sharing:
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Authorize a Computer: On your primary account, go to Steam > Settings > Family > Authorize this computer. This links the computer to your account.
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Log in with a Different Account: Log out of your primary account and log in with the account you wish to share games with.
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Access Your Shared Library: The games from your primary account's library should now be available to play on this authorized computer.
Remember, only one person can play a shared game at a time. If you log in on your primary account, the shared games become unavailable to the secondary account.
What Happens if I Uninstall a Game From My Primary Account?
If you uninstall a game from your primary Steam account, it will also be removed from the accounts using Family Sharing. Family Sharing is about access, not ownership or installation duplication.
Can I Transfer My Game Saves?
Game saves are typically stored locally on your computer, not tied to your Steam account. You can manually copy your save files from the game's save folder to the new user's save folder, provided the folder structure is compatible. However, there's no guarantee this will work across different operating systems or game versions.
Is There a Way to Transfer My Steam Account Completely?
No, there's no official way to transfer a Steam account completely. The account is linked to your email address and other personal information; transferring this information is against Steam's policies and can lead to account issues.
This guide outlines the legitimate and safe methods for sharing your Steam games. Remember, respecting Steam's Terms of Service protects your account and ensures you can continue enjoying your game library.
