Joining the Steam Family Beta allows you to access and test the latest features of Steam Family before they are released to the general public. It replaces the previous Steam Family Sharing and Steam Library Sharing features with a unified system.
Here are the exact steps to join the Steam Family Beta directly within the Steam client:
Simple Steps to Enroll in Steam Family Beta
To opt-in and begin using the new Steam Family features, follow these instructions:
- Launch Steam: Ensure your Steam client is running on your computer.
- Access Settings: While Steam is running, click on Steam upper left, then choose the "Settings" menu.
- Navigate to Interface: In the Settings window, find and click on the "Interface" tab (this step is implicit in finding the beta dropdown).
- Select Beta Participation: Look for the dropdown menu under "Client Beta Participation".
- Choose Steam Family Beta: Select Steam Family Beta from the drop down list.
- Confirm and Restart: Click OK to confirm your selection. You'll be prompted to restart Steam at this point. Click "Restart Steam" to apply the changes.
Once Steam restarts, you will be running the beta version of the client with the Steam Family features enabled. You can then set up your Steam Family group and invite members.
By following these steps, you successfully join the beta program and can explore the new functionality for managing game libraries across family members. Remember that beta programs are for testing and may sometimes have bugs, but they offer an early look at upcoming features.
