[Steam] Improve family sharing flexibility to allow simultaneous play and less restrictive access

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a quick guide on **SLSsteam**, a Steam client modification for Steamdeck that gives you a bunch of powerful features most importantly ability to unlock dlc's and getting over the Family share restrictions! *this tool is not made by me, i'm just sharing the guide on how to use it on steam deck!* *jd Ross made an amazing video explaining how to install, etc please do check it out:* [HOW TO INSTALL SLSTEAM VIDEO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wyd3FzkHoo) Chekout [SLSah](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeckPirates/comments/1o13vu7/guide_achivements_for_quacked_games/) for getting achivements working with this tool 🔧 **What is SLSsteam?** SLSsteam is a shared object (`.so`) preload that adds various enhancements to your Steam client, such as: # ✅ Features: * 🔓 Disable **Family Sharing license lock** (works for your account and others') * 🧩 **Unlock DLCs** (supports blacklist/whitelist modes) * 🔄 Force-enable **DLCs not in the Steam store** * 🎮 **Play games you don’t own** (via manifest or manual method – allows Steam Cloud syncing too! \*\* Achievements support. ( still early days , check the op in cs rin thread for more details ) # 💡 Extra Features SLSsteam Enables for Non-Owned Games *These make pirated/manual games behave more like real Steam purchases:* * 🎮 **Dev-Made Controller Layouts** Use official controller configurations even for games you don’t own — great for Steam Deck and Big Picture mode. * 🛠️ **Steam Workshop Support** Access Steam Workshop mods for supported games without needing to own them. * 🚫 **Bypass Mod Launcher Ownership Checks** Use tools like Vortex, r2modman, and Thunderstore even if the game isn’t in your library. * 💾 **Proper Save File Location** Save files are stored in the correct Steam directory, so if you buy the game later, your saves carry over seamlessly. >Playing games you don't own? *You can make the* ***steam client*** *think you own the game!, it will show up like your purchased game.* **NOTE: THIS DON'T MEAN U HAVE HACKED STEAM, U STILL CANT DOWNLOAD THE GAME OR ANY FILES/SHADERS, YOU WILL HAVE TO DOWNLOAD THEM YOURSELF. THIS WILL ONLY MIMIC YOU OWN THE GAME** example: [THIS IS HOW THE GAME U MANUALLY ADDED WILL LOOK](https://preview.redd.it/7t0d96v11q7f1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=fda6a988aecb9db0b3d16266a28c50288d484961) [THIS IS HOW THE GAME YOU ADDED VIA SLSTEAM WILL LOOK \(1\/2\)](https://preview.redd.it/zvjedux91q7f1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=272b1d7d4d91e64d3e0ebf002ab785b83e706d2a) [\(2\/2\)](https://preview.redd.it/lz73t0me1q7f1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=83be8b9e054bc1deba75ad7a205ef74b8ac01402) # 🧰 Prerequisites (Steam Deck / Immutable System) Since we are on **Steam Deck** follow these steps **before installing on desktop mode**: # 1. 🔑 Set a sudo password: If you've never done this, you won't be able to run `sudo` commands. passwd Enter your desired password twice. # 2. 🔓 Make the filesystem writable: Steam Deck uses an immutable system by default. Run: sudo steamos-readonly disable > 3. Have a text editor from discover store installed ( i recommend kwrite) 4. Set Dolphin (ur file browsing app) to show hidden files (normally the three dots top right when u open dolphin will show u this toggle) 📦 Installation 1. **Download & Extract:** Grab the latest release from the GitHub repo: 👉 [https://github.com/AceSLS/SLSsteam](https://github.com/AceSLS/SLSsteam) 2. You should have a folder named bin and a setup file, Ignore the setup file as that's aimed at Linux users. 3. Now open the *bin* folder and right click, copy location of the [*SLSsteam.so*](http://SLSsteam.so) by right clicking. 4. Close steam app from running. (make sure no icon in the taskbar) 5. open terminal and paste: `LD_AUDIT="/full/path/to/SLSsteam.so" steam` (paste ur path inside the "") 6. You should see steam opening as normal. 7. Now, head towards: `/home/deck/.config/SLSsteam/` and open the config file using your text editor. 8. Here is your options to configure what you want and what you don't want! 8.a: the author has made info about config here : [https://github.com/AceSLS/SLSsteam/wiki](https://github.com/AceSLS/SLSsteam/wiki) 9. To add Games/DLC you want, firstly visit [steamdb](https://steamdb.info/), find your game, copy the App id number and add it to the Additionalapps list in the file. 10. To get the game DLC, visit the game [steamdb page](https://steamdb.info/app/1794680/dlc/) and copy the DLC appids 11. After You finished editing, save the file. Close steam and open it again using the Command from above (5) [This is an example and format on how you should add the games!](https://preview.redd.it/5idqnqvw7q7f1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=0d004db3e0ae116bf013314818d9a409bac007eb) You should see the Games u added show up in steam with the option to install! 1. To install games: you should now press install on the games you want to install, Select Sd card/Internal and proceed. 2. Now Right click the game name on steam -> Manage -> Browse Local Files 3. Paste your game installation files here! **MAKE SURE THE GAME IS RIPPED FROM STEAM!** [this is normally how your downloaded\/ installed game would look, you SHOULD NOT COPY THIS FOLDER, ONLY THE CONTENTS INSIDE!](https://preview.redd.it/k1xl2gxraq7f1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=3b04e95e50598d12440c56ec9c4b36b6eb0c141b) [this is how it should look when u open the game files via browse local files option](https://preview.redd.it/g25827ybbq7f1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=f43cfd14813ce9435b4aa087580e4cd29e95c04a) Making sure you have already set compatibility options in steam, have applied proper cracks the game should open from steam like any other game...... in desktop mode Note, slsteam dont need any cracks for the game to run ( unless specail cases like denuvo or laucher ones). most games will run without a crack! To make this work in Gaming mode needs couple more steps! basically we have to load the file along with steam when it boots. for this follow the below instructions. ***FYI, THE DEV SAID MAKING THIS RUN IN GAME MODE CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE ISSUES AND IS STILL IN TESTING PHASE, SO FOLLOW ALONG WITH CAUTION.*** ***THE FILE WILL BE RESET AFTER ANY MAJOR STEAM UPDATES. YOU WILL NEED TO DO THE BELOW STUFF AFTER EVERY UPDATE. DO NOT RUN THE SAME FILE AFTER STEAM UPDATES! WAIT FOR THE DEV TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS WORKING / WAIT FOR HIM TO PUBLISH A NEW VERSION. ALTERNATIVELY YOU CAN BLOCK STEAM FROM UPDATING.*** 1. Navigate to the folder: `/usr/bin` *(its easier to reach here by pasting the location on the top bar of dolphin)* https://preview.redd.it/mjnjhsvn4q7f1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=0d3fc70c1fdca96b47205e3ae118f7420149d884 * Make sure u scroll down and find the `steam-jupiter` file! Backup this file somewhere safe! * Now right click the file and open `steam-jupiter` using text editor **AS OF 12/30/2025 SLSsteam had a major change internally, so u need to use the updated methord** **THE NEW LINES ARE:** `export LD_AUDIT="/home/deck/.local/share/SLSsteam/library-inject.so:/home/deck/.local/share/SLSsteam/SLSsteam.so"` `exec /usr/lib/steam/steam -steamdeck "$@"` https://preview.redd.it/unwttw6n57ag1.png?width=1362&format=png&auto=webp&s=cb2fc22c31ecc82b3881e9f1c073f168ec114f91 Make sure you save the file after editing this! **YOU CAN ONLY SAVE IT IF YOU HAVE DISABLED READONLY (Prerequisites STEP 2)** now open steam **normally** in desktop mode ( if you have steam open already, close from taskbar and open it **normally**) If everything is good, steam should open normally and you should be able to see all the games you added/ family unlock etc now! IF steam dont open, make sure you have followed the instructions carefully and recheck the path you pasted while editing steam-jupiter. **Make sure to only boot into gamemode if you can open steam normally in desktop mode!** **Chekout** [**SLSah**](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeckPirates/comments/1o13vu7/guide_achivements_for_quacked_games/) **for getting achivements working with this tool** Quick update: for the games that dont use game.exe file to open but some other crack lauchers to open u can edit the steam game lauch options using [https://github.com/tralph3/Steam-Metadata-Editor](https://github.com/tralph3/Steam-Metadata-Editor) and direct it to open the laucher which ur repack given u to play the game **Frequently asked Questions:** Question: Feature xyz doesn't work! Why's that? Answer: Please post what exactly you're trying to achieve and what exactly fails on the cs rin forum not here. Also getting your problem fixed is way more likely and quicker if you post your \~/.SLSsteam.log and \~/.config/SLSsteam/config.yaml. Question: I can't download app xyz that's in my Family Library! How to fix? Answer: Make sure it's not on your AdditionalApps list! Otherwise it's OwnerId will get changed, which will mess up downloads. Question: Steam updated and SLSsteam isn't working anymore! How can I fix this? Answer: Either wait around 24 hours for an update or follow the guide by Riku\_Wayfinder in cs rin on how to block steam updates ( Refer the SLSsteam FAQ thread in cs rin) Question: What config options should I use? Answer: [https://github.com/AceSLS/SLSsteam/wiki/Configuration](https://github.com/AceSLS/SLSsteam/wiki/Configuration) Question: Can i unlock dlc for games that play online? Answer: No, Dont. even though steam dont ban you for using this tool, trying to play online can trigger EAC and can leaf to getting banned. 9/10 cases you wont be able to boot into the games. The games the play like pvp are the ones that usually have server checks! Question: How does family share unlocking work? Answer: say your friend in your steam family owns balatro, According to steam when he is playing Balatro you cant play balatro. But using this tool you'll both be able to play almost all the games! Question: Can this bypass the Ubisoft/Ea Family sharing restrictions? Answer: No. Question: Can i play the games that require any other file than game.exe to play? Answer: No, the tool only opens game.exe like it was designed by steam, however you can use other apps/ launch parameters to launch different files like steamloader.exe etc Question: What happens if i Buy the game that i previously added Answer: Make sure you remove the game appid from the config file, and then verify file integrity of the given game. else may not receive updates/ achievements etc Question: How safe is it running in gamemode? Answer: Personally i have been running this in gamemode for 3+ months and been fine. Question: Does additional apps mean you can download from steam? Answer : No. Question: My game when opening is showing : Content is encrypted! Answer: This has now been fixed. if u are still getting the error make sure u uninstall the game from steam ( this wont remove the gmae data) and go to konsole and type: steam steam://install/12345 (insted of 1234, use ur game id) this will open steam and prompt u where u want to install, point it to where u have the game installed. after that go the game folder and right click the game execution file, notmally its named as: game.x86\_64. right click that and go permissions and make sure the execute as program is checked Question: Can my friends or Gabe see that i am playing the games? Answer: No, The whole thing is working locally Question: how does steam show that i own the game even when i dont? Answer: Steam, when u own a game downloads appmanifest file into your appmanifest folder, any appmanifest you have of a given game in that location makes the stean client think you own the game. When you boot steam after adding appids, the program is just downloading appmanifest files! Question: How to reach out for support Answer: Visit cs rin and search for slssteam. this is a just a guide, i along with you are a user not a developer Credits * [AceSLS](https://github.com/AceSLS): the legend who made this happen after bluecomet was abandoned * Riku\_Wayfinder: Being extremely supportive and lightening my workload by a lot. So show him some love my guys <3 * thismanq: Informing me that DisableFamilyShareLockForOthers is possible * Gnanf: Helping me test the Family Sharing bypass * rdbo: For his great libmem library, which saved me a lot of development and learning time * oleavr and all the other awesome people working on Frida for easy instrumentation which helps a lot in analyzing, testing and debugging * All the folks working on Ghidra, this was my first project using it and I'm in love with it!