Learn how MSFS 2024 works with Steam Family Sharing, including Microsoft account requirements, one-copy limits and content restrictions.
Yes. The Steam edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 can be shared through Steam Families, the system that replaced Steam Family Sharing. The borrower launches it from their own Steam account and signs in with their own Microsoft account. One shared copy permits only one person to play the simulator at a time.
How do you share MSFS 2024 through Steam Families?
The owner and borrower must belong to the same eligible Steam Family. Steam applies its own household, region and membership restrictions before Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 becomes available to borrow.
- Create or join a Steam Family: The owner opens Steam's Family settings and invites the eligible household member.
- Accept from the borrowing account: After accepting, the borrower should find Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 in the shared family library.
- Install or launch the shared copy: Steam handles the borrowed game licence; installing it as a non-Steam game does not work.
- Use a separate Microsoft account: The borrower signs in to the simulator with their own Microsoft account so that their profile, logbook, Career Mode progress and cloud data remain separate.
We strongly recommend keeping one Microsoft account per player. Sharing the owner's Microsoft login can mix progression, settings and in-sim entitlements, and it is not required for Steam Families.
This only shares the Steam licence. It does not turn that licence into Microsoft Store or Xbox ownership. Our explanation of how Steam and Microsoft Store licences differ covers that storefront distinction in more detail.
Does Steam Family Sharing include Marketplace add-ons?
Steam Families shares access to the eligible game package, but it does not transfer ownership of account-bound purchases.
| Content | What the borrower receives |
|---|---|
| Base Steam game | Temporary access while a family copy is available. |
| Steam-delivered edition content | Content may be available with the lender's copy where Steam and the simulator recognise it as part of that shareable package; it is not added permanently to the borrower's account. |
| Marketplace purchases | Not transferred to the borrower's Microsoft account. Aircraft and scenery bought in the in-sim Marketplace remain associated with the purchasing account and applicable platform entitlement. |
| Xbox or Microsoft Store access | None. Borrowing on Steam grants no licence on another storefront or console. |
A common mistake is assuming that sharing a Premium or Aviator copy permanently grants all its aircraft to the second account. Check the borrower's in-sim library after signing in; if specific content is absent, the borrower needs the corresponding entitlement rather than another download attempt.
Can two people play MSFS 2024 at the same time?
One family copy allows one player to run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at a time. The owner can use another game while the borrower flies, but the same MSFS 2024 copy cannot serve two simultaneous sessions.
Two family members can fly together only when the Steam Family contains two usable copies of the simulator. Anyone buying the additional copy should first compare the MSFS 2024 edition and storefront options, because a Steam purchase does not add an Xbox or Microsoft Store entitlement.
Why does MSFS 2024 not appear in the shared library?
A missing game usually indicates a Steam Family or licence problem rather than a Microsoft account problem.
- Confirm that the owner bought the Steam edition; a Microsoft Store or Xbox licence cannot be shared through Steam.
- Check that the invitation was accepted and both accounts appear in the same active Steam Family.
- Restart or sign back into the Steam client after changing family membership.
- Make sure the owner has not marked the game private, which can prevent it appearing to other family members.
- If the game shows as unavailable, check whether the family's only copy is already being used.
- Read any household, region or membership-cooldown message shown by Steam. Relinking Microsoft accounts will not remove a Steam Family restriction.
If borrowing later ends, the second player's progression remains associated with their Microsoft account. They will need another valid game licence to resume playing, but they should not need to start their profile again.