You downloaded your Lightroom presets and are ready to install them, but you cannot find the Import Presets option anywhere in Lightroom.
The good news is that the import option usually is not actually gone. Its location is different depending on whether you are using Lightroom Mobile, Adobe Lightroom Desktop, or Lightroom Classic.
If your Import Presets button is missing in Lightroom, use the correct instructions for your version below.
Quick Fix: Where Is Import Presets in Lightroom?
Here is where to find the preset import option in current versions of Lightroom:
- Lightroom Mobile: Open a photo → Presets → Yours → three-dot Options menu → Import Presets.
- Adobe Lightroom Desktop: File → Import Profiles & Presets.
- Lightroom Classic: Develop → Presets panel → + → Import Presets.
If you are looking in a different area of Lightroom, the import option may appear to be missing even though it is available elsewhere in the app.
1. Where Is Import Presets in Lightroom Mobile?
In current versions of Lightroom Mobile, the Import Presets option is inside the Presets panel.
To find it:
- Open Lightroom Mobile.
- Open any photo so you are in the editing view.
- Tap Presets.
- Select Yours.
- Tap the three-dot Options menu.
- Select Import Presets.
You can then navigate to the preset files saved on your phone, tablet, or cloud storage.
Current versions of Lightroom Mobile can also import a ZIP file containing compatible XMP presets directly.
2. Why Is Import Presets Missing in Lightroom Mobile?
If you open Lightroom Mobile and still do not see Import Presets, check these things first.
Make Sure You Opened a Photo
The preset tools are accessed while editing a photo. Open any image in Lightroom before looking for the Presets panel.
Once the photo is open, select Presets → Yours → Options.
Make Sure You Are Looking in the Yours Section
Lightroom organizes presets into categories such as Recommended, Premium, and Yours.
For your own imported presets and preset-management options, open Yours before selecting the three-dot Options menu.
Update Lightroom Mobile
If your Lightroom interface does not match current instructions or the Import Presets option is unavailable, check whether an update is available for Lightroom.
Adobe changes Lightroom menus and preset features over time, so older versions of the app may look different from current versions.
After updating Lightroom, close and reopen the app and check:
Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets
3. Where Is Import Presets in Adobe Lightroom Desktop?
Adobe Lightroom Desktop does not use the same Import Presets button location as Lightroom Mobile.
On Lightroom Desktop for Mac or Windows, use the application menu instead:
- Open Adobe Lightroom Desktop.
- From the menu bar, select File.
- Select Import Profiles & Presets.
- Navigate to the preset files you downloaded.
- Select the files.
- Click Import.
If you have been searching inside the Presets panel for a button labeled Import Presets, this may be why you thought the option was missing.
4. Why Does Lightroom Desktop Say “Import Profiles & Presets” Instead?
In Adobe Lightroom Desktop, Adobe combines profile and preset importing into one menu option called Import Profiles & Presets.
This is the correct option for importing Lightroom preset files.
Go to:
File → Import Profiles & Presets
You do not need to find a separate menu item labeled only “Import Presets” in Lightroom Desktop.
5. Where Is Import Presets in Lightroom Classic?
Lightroom Classic uses another different import workflow.
To find Import Presets in Lightroom Classic:
- Open Lightroom Classic.
- Select the Develop module.
- Find the Presets panel on the left side.
- Click the + icon beside the Presets panel.
- Select Import Presets.
- Select your preset files or a compatible ZIP file containing presets.
- Click Import.
6. Why Is Import Presets Missing in Lightroom Classic?
If you cannot find Import Presets in Lightroom Classic, first make sure you are in the Develop module.
The preset import menu is located in the Presets panel in Develop. If you are in Library or another module, you may not see the same preset controls.
Once you are in Develop:
Presets panel → + → Import Presets
If the interface still does not match these instructions, check that Lightroom Classic is updated to a current version.
7. Are You Using Lightroom or Lightroom Classic?
One of the biggest reasons people cannot find the Import Presets option is that Lightroom and Lightroom Classic use different menus.
Adobe Lightroom Desktop is the cloud-based Lightroom application. Its import option is:
File → Import Profiles & Presets
Lightroom Classic uses the Develop module. Its import option is:
Develop → Presets → + → Import Presets
Lightroom Mobile uses:
Open a photo → Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets
If instructions you found online do not match your screen, check which Lightroom application the instructions were written for.
8. Make Sure Your Version of Lightroom Supports Your Preset Format
If you can find the import menu but Lightroom will not accept your preset files, the issue may be the preset format rather than the missing import button.
Modern Lightroom presets commonly use the XMP file format. Older Lightroom versions may use the legacy LRTemplate format.
DNG presets use a different installation method and are generally added to Lightroom as image files before the edits are saved as a new preset.
If the Import Presets option is visible but your files fail to import, see our Lightroom Presets Failed to Import troubleshooting guide.
9. What If the Import Presets Option Is There but Nothing Happens?
If you found the correct Import Presets option but the files will not install, you are dealing with an import problem rather than a missing-button problem.
Possible causes include:
- The preset is already installed.
- The preset file is incomplete or corrupted.
- You selected the wrong file type.
- The XMP file is a profile rather than a preset.
- The preset requires a different installation method.
Use our Lightroom Presets Failed to Import: How to Fix It guide for those problems.
10. What If the Presets Imported but I Still Cannot Find Them?
If Lightroom completed the import successfully but the presets are not visible afterward, the Import Presets button is no longer the issue.
The presets may be inside another preset group, hidden, partially compatible with the photo you are editing, or still syncing between devices.
Follow our How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom guide for step-by-step troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Import Presets button in Lightroom Mobile?
Open a photo, select Presets → Yours, tap the three-dot Options menu, and select Import Presets.
Why don’t I see Import Presets in Lightroom Mobile?
Make sure you have opened a photo and are viewing the Presets panel. Then select Yours and open the three-dot Options menu. If the option still does not appear, check that Lightroom Mobile is updated.
Where is Import Presets in Lightroom Desktop?
In Adobe Lightroom Desktop, select File → Import Profiles & Presets. Lightroom Desktop does not use the same Import Presets menu location as Lightroom Mobile or Lightroom Classic.
Where is Import Presets in Lightroom Classic?
Open the Develop module, locate the Presets panel on the left, click the + icon, and select Import Presets.
Why does Lightroom say Import Profiles & Presets instead of Import Presets?
Adobe Lightroom Desktop combines preset and profile importing into one menu command called Import Profiles & Presets. This is the correct option to use when installing presets in Lightroom Desktop.
Can I import an XMP ZIP file into Lightroom Mobile?
Yes. Current versions of Lightroom Mobile can import a ZIP file containing compatible XMP presets directly through Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets.
What if my presets import but do not appear?
If the import completes successfully but the presets are missing, check your preset groups, hidden presets, partially compatible presets, and Lightroom sync status. You can also follow our missing Lightroom presets guide.
Need More Lightroom Help?
Visit our Lightroom Troubleshooting Guides for help with preset installation, missing presets, import errors, syncing problems, XMP and DNG files, and more.
Shop Lightroom Presets
Once your presets are installed and working correctly, you’re ready to start editing.
Browse our Lightroom preset collections for film-inspired edits, bright and airy looks, moody tones, seasonal styles, everyday photo editing, and more.
Want the complete collection? Our Premium All Access Lightroom Presets give you access to our full preset library in one bundle.
More Lightroom Troubleshooting Guides
- How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom
- Lightroom Presets Failed to Import: How to Fix It
- Why Did My Lightroom Presets Disappear?
- Why Are My DNG Preset Files Grey or Blank? Coming soon.
- Why Won’t My XMP Presets Import Into Lightroom or Photoshop? Coming soon.
