Adobe Lightroom has become an essential tool for amateur and professional photographers alike in the world of photography. One of the main qualities that makes Lightroom so versatile is its ability to use presets and pre-defined settings which can dramatically improve and streamline the editing process. Whether you’re searching to add a vintage flair, boost colors, or make a moody atmosphere, Lightroom presets can help you achieve your desired look with only a few clicks.
Lightroom presets are essentially a collection of editing settings bundled together into a single file. These settings include adjustments to exposure, contrast, color temperature, saturation, and more. By applying a preset to your photo, you can instantly transform its appearance to match a specific style or aesthetic.
How To Install Lightroom Presets
Installing presets in Lightroom is a straightforward process, but it varies slightly depending on the version of Lightroom you’re using and the device you’re installing them. Below, we’ll outline step-by-step instructions for installing presets on various platforms.
Installing preset in Lightroom on Moblie (Android)
These steps help you to install presets in Lightroom for mobile (Android):
Steps to Import Presets in Lightroom for Mobile
- Download Presets: Download the preset or group of presets you want to install. Use the sample preset group file if needed. These files contain Adobe stock assets for practice. Purchase a license on Adobe Stock for public use.
- Open Lightroom: Open the Lightroom for mobile app and open an image.
- Import Presets:
- Select Presets.
- Go to the three-dot menu at the top-right and select Import Presets.
- Choose the preset file from your device. Note: ZIP files can be imported without unzipping.
- Access Presets:
- Go to Presets > Yours > User Presets.
- All imported presets will be available under User Presets.
Import DNG Preset in Lightroom for Mobile
- Unzip Presets Folder:
- On Mac: Double-click the zipped file.
- On Windows: Right-click the zipped file and click Extract All.
- On mobile: Use any app that lets you unzip a downloaded file.
- Save Files: Save the unzipped DNG files on your mobile device or cloud storage.
- Add Photos:
- Open the Lightroom app on your mobile device and tap Add Photos.
- Navigate to where you saved the DNG file and select it.
- On iOS: Tap “From Camera Roll”.
- On Android: Tap “Gallery/Folder”.
- If on cloud storage: Tap “From Files” on iOS or the specific cloud storage folder on Android.
- Import DNG Preset:
- If you see a “Cannot Load File” error, continue with the steps.
- Open the imported file and tap the three-dot icon at the top-right.
- Tap Create Presets and name your new preset.
- Add the new preset to a Preset Group of your choice and tap the checkmark icon to save it.
Apply the New Preset in Lightroom for Mobile
- Open Photo: Open the photo you want to edit.
- Access Presets: Tap the Presets panel at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Preset Group: Tap Yours and select the Preset Group where you saved your new preset.
- Apply Preset: Select the preset and tap the checkmark icon to apply it.
For info on importing XMP presets in Lightroom for mobile (Android), see Edit Photos.
How To Install Lightroom Presets on iPhone
- It is essential to extract the “mobile-presets_iphone.zip” file and transfer it all. dng files to your device after downloading the product to your desktop. As AirDrop is the fastest method, doing this via it is highly recommended.
- To create a new “Folder,” download the Lightroom app on your iPhone and tap the “+” icon in your library. You can access and rename this folder as “Presets.” Next, click “Create New Album,” give the album the same name as the presets you downloaded.
- To import more photographs, click the “Add” icon once you are in the collection. You have to select + “Open” for each.dng file and go to the folder where you moved them.
- After choosing the three dots in the upper right corner of the image, select the first one and choose “Create Preset” from the menu.
- Upload the Preset to the Presets group while giving it a name that aligns with the Preset Pack.
- Follow the two previous steps for every .dng file (picture) until the Presets panel includes a list of all the presets.
How to Install Lightroom Presets on a PC?
There are two ways to install Lightroom presets on a PC:
1. Import the presets into Lightroom directly.
2. Drag your Lightroom Presets into the exact presets folder.
1. Import the presets into Lightroom directly
If you have the latest version of Adobe Lightroom, installing presets is a breeze. Here’s how:
- Open Lightroom and go to the Develop Module.
- Find the Presets Panel and click the “+” icon.
- Select “Import Presets” and navigate to where you saved the preset file on your computer.
- Choose the preset folders and click Import. Lightroom will locate the presets in the new XMP format.
- Done! Your presets will be available in the Presets tab. If not, restart Lightroom.
This method only works for presets in the new XMP format.
2. Drag your Lightroom Presets into the exact presets folder
- Open Lightroom Classic on your desktop and click on the Lightroom tab in the top left corner of the screen.
- Click on Preferences, then Presets.
- Click on ‘Show Lightroom Presets Folder’.
- This shows all the Lightroom preferences, but we want to just see the presets – go to the “Develop Preset Folder”. You should see all the presets you were previously using in there.
- Unzip the file, then just copy the entire folder into the Develop Preset Folder.
- Restart your Lightroom. You should now see the presets added.
How to import presets into Lightroom Classic
Importing presets in Lightroom Classic is a quick and easy way to apply a consistent look to your photos. Presets are pre-made adjustments that you can apply to your photos with just one click, saving you time and effort in your editing workflow. We’ll walk you through the steps to download, import, and apply presets to your photos, so you can start editing like a pro.
There are three methods for installing presets on Lightroom Mobile:
- Install presets with DNG files (included in every pack)
- Import XMP presets from your local storage (Android only)
- Sync Lightroom Classic with Lightroom Ecosystem
First, download the free Adobe Lightroom CC App from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Create an Adobe account if you haven’t already—it’s quick and free!
1. Install presets with DNG files (included in every pack)
- Unzip and Transfer DNG Files:
- Unzip the folder and transfer the DNG files to your phone via Dropbox, WeTransfer, or any method you prefer. Apps like iZip can unzip the file directly on your phone. Note: The DNG file might look like an unedited photo, but it has edits that will act as your preset once installed in Lightroom.
- Import DNG Files to Lightroom Mobile:
- Open the Lightroom app and create a new album.
- Tap the 3 dots in the upper right corner and then tap on Add Photos. Select all DNG presets from your phone and import them into the new album.
- Create and Save Presets:
- Go into the presets folder and click on the first preset.
- Click the three dots on the top right corner, then select ‘Create Preset’.
- Under ‘Preset Name’, type the name of the preset.
- Repeat this process for all DNG files.
2. Import XMP presets from your local storage (Android only)
- Open a Photo in Loupe View:
- In the Edit screen, tap the Presets icon in the bottom panel.
- Import Presets:
- Tap the three-dots icon in the upper-right corner and select Import Presets.
- Tap the presets you want to import from Google Drive or any folder on your mobile. You can select individual XMP files or zip files containing multiple XMP files.
- Access Imported Presets:
- The imported presets will appear in the Presets pop-up menu.
- The presets sync across Lightroom desktop and Lightroom for mobile (iOS) so you can access them from any device.
3. Sync Lightroom Classic with Lightroom Ecosystem
Learn how to set up a Lightroom Classic desktop to sync photos with the Lightroom ecosystem of apps with official instructions by Adobe here.
Note: You need a Creative Cloud membership or trial to sync photos across all your devices.
How do I import Lightroom presets for free?
First, download the free Adobe Lightroom CC App from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Make an Adobe account if you haven’t already—it’s quick and free!
Lightroom for Mobile | Premium Features
Please note, that premium features are only available to subscribers. All selective adjustment tools are available on a mobile device when you purchase an Adobe Lightroom CC App subscription. For more details, visit Adobe’s premium features page.
Why I Can’t import presets to lightroom mobile [Solution]
You must install the presets in the Lightroom desktop application (not Lightroom Classic) on your Windows or Mac computer first. Once they are installed, the presets will automatically sync to your mobile device via the cloud. See also: Step-by-step guide by Adobe.
Using Lightroom Presets: Tips and Tricks
- Apply Presets Creatively: Experiment with different presets to find the look that best suits your photo.
- Adjust Settings: After applying a preset, fine-tune the settings further to achieve your desired outcome.
- Create Your Own Presets: Once you’ve edited a photo to your liking, save the settings as a preset for future use.
- Explore Third-Party Presets: Aside from built-in presets, there are countless third-party presets available for purchase or download online.
Conclusion
Lightroom presets are a powerful tool for enhancing and streamlining your photo editing workflow. By following the step-by-step instructions provided, you can easily install presets in Lightroom on various devices and versions. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, presets offer a convenient way to achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort. So go ahead, download some presets, and unleash your creativity in Lightroom!