You downloaded XMP Lightroom presets, but Lightroom will not import them, gives you an error, or completes the import without showing the presets afterward.
XMP is the standard format used by many modern Lightroom presets, but not every XMP file is actually a preset. XMP files can also contain profiles, Camera Raw settings, or metadata associated with an image.
If your XMP presets will not import into Lightroom, work through the steps below before assuming the preset files are broken.
Quick Fix: Why Won’t My XMP Presets Import Into Lightroom?
The most common reasons XMP presets fail to import are:
- The XMP preset is already installed.
- You are using the wrong import method for your version of Lightroom.
- The downloaded file is incomplete or corrupted.
- The XMP file is a profile rather than a preset.
- The XMP file is image metadata rather than a Lightroom preset.
- You are using an older version of Lightroom Classic that does not support modern XMP presets.
- The preset imported successfully but is hidden or partially compatible.
- You are trying to install Lightroom-style XMP presets directly in Photoshop instead of using Adobe Camera Raw and the correct preset ZIP package.
The correct troubleshooting steps depend on whether you are using Lightroom Mobile, Adobe Lightroom Desktop, Lightroom Classic, or Photoshop with Adobe Camera Raw.
1. Make Sure the File Is Actually an XMP File
Start by checking the file extension.
A modern Lightroom XMP preset should end in .xmp.
Your download may also include other file types such as:
- .zip, a compressed folder that may contain multiple XMP preset files.
- .dng, an image file that can contain editing information.
- .lrtemplate, an older Lightroom preset format.
If you expected XMP presets but only see DNG or LRTemplate files, follow the installation instructions for that specific file format instead.
2. How to Import XMP Presets Into Lightroom Mobile
In current versions of Lightroom Mobile, XMP presets are imported from the Presets panel.
Open a photo and go to:
Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets
Then locate your downloaded XMP preset files and import them.
If your XMP presets were supplied inside a ZIP file, current versions of Lightroom Mobile can import the ZIP containing the XMP presets directly.
If the ZIP does not import on your device, extract the download and try importing the individual XMP files instead.
After importing, look under:
Presets → Yours
Your presets may appear inside their own preset group rather than directly inside User Presets.
3. How to Import XMP Presets Into Adobe Lightroom Desktop
Adobe Lightroom Desktop uses a different import workflow from Lightroom Mobile.
On Lightroom Desktop for Mac or Windows:
- Open Adobe Lightroom Desktop.
- Select File from the menu bar.
- Select Import Profiles & Presets.
- Navigate to your downloaded preset files.
- Select the XMP presets or compatible preset package.
- Click Import.
After importing, open the Presets panel and look under Yours for the imported preset group.
If Lightroom completes the import but the XMP files do not appear under Presets, the files may be profiles rather than presets. We will cover that below.
4. How to Import XMP Presets Into Lightroom Classic
In Lightroom Classic, XMP presets are imported from the Presets panel inside the Develop module.
To import them:
- Open Lightroom Classic.
- Open the Develop module.
- Locate the Presets panel on the left.
- Click the + icon.
- Select Import Presets.
- Select the XMP preset files or a compatible ZIP containing the presets.
- Click Import.
The imported presets should then appear in the Presets panel.
5. What Does “Duplicate or Invalid” Mean When Importing XMP Presets?
If Lightroom says the XMP presets are duplicate or invalid, there are two common possibilities.
The XMP Preset May Already Be Installed
Lightroom may identify the file as a duplicate because the same preset is already installed.
Before importing it again, search your preset groups and check whether the preset is already available.
If you cannot find presets that you know are installed, follow our How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom troubleshooting guide.
The XMP File May Not Be a Valid Preset
An XMP file can contain several different types of Adobe information. Simply having an .xmp extension does not automatically make a file a Lightroom preset.
If Lightroom does not recognize the XMP as a valid preset, the file may be a profile, image metadata sidecar, or another type of Camera Raw XMP file.
6. Make Sure the XMP File Is a Preset and Not a Profile
Adobe uses XMP files for both presets and profiles.
They are related, but they appear in different areas of Lightroom.
A Lightroom preset stores editing adjustments and normally appears inside the Presets panel.
A Lightroom profile affects how Lightroom interprets and renders the image and appears inside the Profile Browser.
If Lightroom successfully imports your XMP but you cannot find it in the Presets panel, check whether it appeared as a profile instead.
Where to Find Profiles in Adobe Lightroom Desktop
Open a photo and go to the Profile area in the Edit panel, then select Browse.
Look through the available profile groups for the imported profile.
If the XMP was created as a profile rather than a preset, it will not appear in your normal Lightroom preset groups.
7. Your XMP File May Be an Image Metadata Sidecar
XMP is also used to store editing and metadata information alongside individual image files.
For example, Camera Raw and Lightroom Classic can create XMP sidecar files that store adjustments associated with a specific RAW photograph.
Those XMP sidecar files are not necessarily reusable Lightroom presets.
If you received an XMP file from a preset company or photographer, make sure it was specifically created and exported as a Lightroom preset rather than copied from an image’s metadata files.
8. Why Did My XMP Presets Import but Not Appear?
If Lightroom completed the import without an error but you still cannot find your presets, the problem may no longer be the XMP file itself.
The presets may be:
- Inside another preset group.
- Hidden by Lightroom’s preset management settings.
- Partially compatible with the photo you are editing.
- Imported as profiles rather than presets.
- Still syncing between Lightroom devices.
Use our How to Find Missing Presets in Lightroom guide for step-by-step instructions.
9. Check Whether Your Lightroom Classic Version Supports XMP Presets
Modern versions of Lightroom Classic use the XMP preset format.
However, very old versions of Lightroom Classic do not support importing modern XMP presets.
Adobe states that Lightroom Classic 8.2 and earlier cannot import XMP presets.
If you are using an older version, update Lightroom Classic or check whether the preset provider offers an older compatible preset format.
10. Redownload the XMP Preset Files
If the XMP presets still fail to import, the download may be incomplete or corrupted.
Download a fresh copy from the original source.
After downloading:
- Confirm the download has finished completely.
- Locate the XMP preset files or preset ZIP.
- Try importing one preset or one preset group first.
- If that works, continue with the remaining files.
If the new copy imports correctly, the original download was likely incomplete.
11. Make Sure Lightroom Is Updated
If the XMP files appear correct but Lightroom still refuses to import them, check whether an update is available.
Adobe changes preset support, compatibility, and Lightroom’s interface over time.
Update Lightroom, reopen the application, and try importing the XMP presets again.
12. Why Won’t My XMP Presets Import Into Photoshop?
Lightroom-style XMP presets are not normally installed through Photoshop’s standard preset menus.
When you use XMP photo-editing presets with Photoshop, they are installed through Adobe Camera Raw.
For Adobe Camera Raw’s Import Profiles and Presets workflow, the XMP preset files need to be packaged inside a .zip file. Select the ZIP file containing the XMP presets rather than selecting an individual XMP file.
Adobe Camera Raw is the editing interface Photoshop uses for RAW files and Camera Raw adjustments.
If you try to double-click an individual XMP file or open it directly in Photoshop, Photoshop will not treat it like a normal image or install it as a photo-editing preset.
Instead, open Adobe Camera Raw, go to the Presets panel, choose Import Profiles and Presets, and select the ZIP file containing the XMP presets.
13. How to Import XMP Presets Into Adobe Camera Raw
To use the Adobe Camera Raw import workflow, your XMP presets should be packaged inside a ZIP file.
To import XMP presets into Camera Raw:
- Open a RAW photo in Photoshop so that Adobe Camera Raw opens.
- Open the Presets panel in Camera Raw.
- Right-click on Windows or Control-click on Mac inside the Presets panel.
- Select Import Profiles and Presets.
- Select the ZIP file containing your XMP presets.
- Open the ZIP to import the presets.
After importing, look inside the Camera Raw Presets panel for the new preset group.
The Adobe Camera Raw Import Profiles and Presets workflow uses the ZIP package containing the XMP presets.
14. What If I Only Have Individual XMP Files for Photoshop?
If you only have individual XMP files rather than a ZIP package, do not select those individual files in the Adobe Camera Raw Import Profiles and Presets workflow.
The easiest option is to return to the original download and use the ZIP package supplied by the preset provider. Individual XMP files can also be installed manually in the appropriate Adobe Camera Raw preset location, but that uses a different installation method from Import Profiles and Presets.
After individual XMP files are placed in the correct Camera Raw Settings location, close and reopen Photoshop so Camera Raw can reload the preset files.
If your preset provider supplied installation instructions, follow their recommended Camera Raw installation method because the package may contain presets, profiles, or both.
15. What If Photoshop Opens the XMP as a File Instead of a Preset?
Do not try to use File → Open in Photoshop to install an XMP Lightroom preset.
An XMP preset is not a normal image file such as a JPEG, TIFF, or RAW photograph.
Instead, open a RAW photograph in Photoshop to launch Adobe Camera Raw and install the preset through the Camera Raw preset system using the ZIP package.
If Photoshop does not automatically open Camera Raw, make sure you are opening a supported RAW image or access Camera Raw using the appropriate Photoshop workflow for the image you are editing.
16. Where Should XMP Presets Appear in Adobe Camera Raw?
After a compatible XMP preset package has been installed correctly, open Adobe Camera Raw and select the Presets tool.
Imported presets should appear in the Presets panel, commonly inside a user or custom preset group.
If the XMP files were actually profiles rather than presets, look in the Camera Raw Profile Browser instead.
17. Lightroom Presets and Photoshop Presets Are Not the Same Thing
Photoshop contains several different types of presets, including brushes, styles, adjustment presets, and other Photoshop-specific preset formats.
Those are different from Lightroom and Camera Raw XMP photo-editing presets.
If you purchased XMP presets designed for Lightroom, use Lightroom’s preset import workflow or Adobe Camera Raw when working through Photoshop.
Do not use Photoshop’s unrelated brush, style, or adjustment preset import menus for Lightroom XMP files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my XMP presets import into Lightroom?
The XMP files may already be installed, corrupted, incompatible with your Lightroom version, or they may be profiles or metadata files rather than Lightroom presets. Make sure you are also using the correct import workflow for Lightroom Mobile, Lightroom Desktop, or Lightroom Classic.
How do I import XMP presets into Lightroom Desktop?
Open Adobe Lightroom Desktop and select File → Import Profiles & Presets. Select the downloaded XMP preset files or compatible preset package and click Import.
How do I import XMP presets into Lightroom Classic?
Open the Develop module, locate the Presets panel, click the + icon, and select Import Presets. Select your XMP presets or compatible ZIP and click Import.
Can I import XMP presets into Lightroom Mobile?
Yes. Open a photo and select Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets. Locate your XMP preset files or ZIP containing the XMP presets and import them. If the ZIP does not import on your device, extract it and try the individual XMP files.
Why does Lightroom say my XMP preset is duplicate or invalid?
A duplicate message can mean the preset is already installed. An invalid message can mean the file is damaged, unsupported, or is not actually a Lightroom preset.
Why did my XMP import but not appear under Presets?
The XMP may have imported as a profile rather than a preset, or the preset may be hidden, inside another preset group, partially compatible, or still syncing.
Is every XMP file a Lightroom preset?
No. XMP files can contain presets, profiles, image adjustments, and metadata. The file must contain the correct preset information for Lightroom to recognize it as a preset.
Can I use XMP Lightroom presets in Photoshop?
Yes. Compatible XMP photo-editing presets can be used with Photoshop through Adobe Camera Raw. They are not installed like normal Photoshop brushes, styles, or other Photoshop-specific presets.
How do I install XMP presets in Photoshop?
Open a RAW image in Photoshop to launch Adobe Camera Raw. Open the Presets panel, right-click on Windows or Control-click on Mac, select Import Profiles and Presets, and choose the ZIP file containing the XMP presets.
Can I select an individual XMP file in Adobe Camera Raw Import Profiles and Presets?
For the Adobe Camera Raw Import Profiles and Presets workflow described here, select the ZIP file containing the XMP presets, not an individual XMP file.
Why won’t Photoshop open my XMP preset?
An XMP preset is not an image file that you open normally in Photoshop. Install the preset package through Adobe Camera Raw instead.
Where do imported XMP presets appear in Camera Raw?
Compatible presets appear inside the Adobe Camera Raw Presets panel. If the XMP files are actually profiles, look inside the Profile Browser instead.
Need More Lightroom Help?
Visit our Lightroom Troubleshooting Guides for help with missing presets, preset installation, XMP and DNG files, syncing problems, and Lightroom import errors.
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