- Source: https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4543572701313233470/
- The thread contains more information and links, but this is the method I initially used.
The following guide shows how you can configure steam games installation folder for it to be shared between multiple Linux users.
In the guide I’m using /steam-library/ directory to store games, but you can can choose a different folder. Just make sure required users can get into this folder.
It’s been tested on Ubuntu 20.04, but must be applicable to other Linux distros as well.
I’ve created this guide a few days after the configuration, so I might have missed something. Feel free to share your feedback and\or Linux wisdom - I don’t have much anyway.
Disclaimer: your are applying this configuration at your own risk. But it didn’t break my PC and I don’t see how it could break yours.
Initial folder configuration (your account needs to have sudo root permissions)
Run the following in the shell:
sudo mkdir /steam-library
sudo groupadd gamers
sudo chgrp gamers /steam-library/
sudo chmod 770 /steam-library/
sudo chmod g+s /steam-library/
#don't forget to replace user1.users2,etc. with your Linux users
sudo usermod -a -G gamers user1
sudo usermod -a -G gamers user2
#sign out is required for group membership changes to apply,
#but if you are the one who created the folders,
#you'll get permissions as 'owner'.
# You can use id command to check current user group membership. Steam configuration (must be done for every Linux user who needs access to the library)
Go to Steam - Settings - Downloads - STEAM LIBRARY FOLDERS
Add /steam-library/ folder there by pressing ’+’ icon and selecting the required directory. Highlight newly added entry and set is as default by pressing ’…’ icon and choosing corresponding option.
If games already downloaded to the shared folder
- First of all, shut down Steam on all accounts.
- Apply initial config (if has not yet been done).
- Run the following:
sudo chgrp -R gamers /steam-library/
sudo chmod -R 770 /steam-library/
chmod g+s $(find /steam-library -type d)