How To Install Lightroom Presets
Updated on November 28, 2025
Learning how to install Lightroom presets is one of the easiest ways to improve your photo editing, whether you are using Lightroom Mobile, Lightroom CC, Lightroom Classic, or even older versions like Lightroom 4-6.
With Adobe’s newer updates, installing presets is faster and more beginner friendly, especially on the free Lightroom Mobile App where presets now import in one click. This guide will show you step by step how to install presets on every device so you can start editing with beautiful, consistent results.
What Are Lightroom Presets?
Lightroom presets are saved editing settings that give your photos a specific style with one click. They adjust exposure, contrast, tone curves, white balance, saturation, color grading, sharpening, and more all at once. Presets help you create consistent edits, build a cohesive Instagram aesthetic, speed up your workflow, and achieve professional results whether you are a photographer, creator, influencer, small business owner, or someone editing everyday iPhone photos.
If you are new to presets and want to learn the basics before installing them, you can start with our Lightroom Presets 101 Guide, which explains what presets are, how they work, and how to choose the right style for your photos.
In this updated 2026 installation guide, you will learn how to:
- Install presets in Lightroom Mobile for iPhone and Android
- Install presets in Lightroom CC on desktop
- Install presets in Lightroom Classic
- Use DNG and XMP presets correctly
- Sync presets across devices
- Troubleshoot common preset installation issues
This guide will help you install and start using your Lightroom presets correctly so you can edit with confidence and create beautiful photos on any platform.
Installing Presets in Lightroom CC ( Lr Desktop) Step-by-Step Guide
These install directions will work for both Mac & PC.
1. Download Presets
Access your downloaded presets on your computer. Your zip file will typically download to your "Downloads" folder on your computer.
2. Install Lightroom CC
Open Lightroom CC on your desktop and ensure your logged in with your adobe account.
3. Import Your Presets
Make sure you have at least one image imported. Click on an image. Click on the presets icon in the top right panel to access your presets. Click on the three dots at the top right. Click on "Import Presets".
A new screen will pop up and you will be able to navigate to the zip file you downloaded. Select the zip file and click "Import". You will see a notification come up that says "Presets Successfully Installed".
4. Apply Your Presets
Select an image you want to edit. In your presets panel on the right select a preset you want to apply to your image. You can hover over each preset to see a sample of what the preset will look like on your photo.
5. Fine Tune Your Edit
The preset opacity slider is a great feature in Lightroom that allows you to control how strongly a preset is applied to a photo, giving you more control over your edits.
After you apply a preset a slider will appear right below the presets panel named "Amount". Drag the slider left or right to adjust the strength of the presets.
Installing Presets in Lightroom Classic ( LrC Desktop) Step-by-Step Guide
These install directions will work for both Mac & PC.
1. Download Presets
Access your downloaded presets on your computer. Your zip file will typically download to your "Downloads" folder on your computer.
2. Install Lightroom Classic
Open Lightroom Classic on your desktop and ensure your logged in with your adobe account.
3. Import Your Presets
Make sure you have at lease one image imported to your Lightroom so you can access Develop module. Click on "Develop" this will bring up your presets panel on the left.
Click on the plus sign (+) at the top of your preset panel. Click on "Import Presets". This will bring up a new window and you will be able to select the zip file you downloaded.
Select your zip file and then click "Import". This will import your presets. You can locate your presets in the list of presets in your panel.
4. Apply Your Presets
In the Develop Module, scroll through your presets to locate the preset you want to apply to your photo.
5. Fine Tune Your Edit
The preset opacity slider is a great feature in Lightroom that allows you to control how strongly a preset is applied to a photo, giving you more control over your edits.
After you apply a preset a slider will appear right above the presets panel named "Amount". Drag the slider left or right to adjust the strength of the presets.
You can still make manually tweaks like exposure, white balance, contrast, etc.
Installing Presets In Lightroom 4-6 (Older Applications)
These install directions will work for both Mac & PC.
1. Download Your Presets
Start by downloading the preset zip files to your computer. These files come in a .zip format and need to be extracted before you can use them.
2. Open Your Lightroom & Locate Your Preferences
For Windows users click on "Edit" and then "Preferences" in the header menu, then click on "Presets". For Mac users click "Lightroom" and then "Preferences" in the header menu and then on "Presets".
Click on the button: "Show Lightroom Presets Folder". Then Click on "Lightroom". Click on "Develop Presets".
Copy and paste your downloaded presets into the "Develop Presets" folder.
3. Apply Your Presets
Now close and relaunch your Lightroom. Your presets will now be installed in your Presets panel. You can scroll through your list of presets to find the one you want to apply to your photos.
Installing Presets in Lightroom Mobile ( Lr Android & iPhone) Step-by-Step Guide
These install directions will work for both the free & paid Lightroom app.
Installing Lightroom Presets In Lightroom Mobile With Desktop Lightroom
If you have Lightroom on your Desktop you can install your presets to your Lightroom and sync your installed presets to your mobile device. Just follow the directions above for installing your desktop presets and make sure you have sync turned on. For an in-depth guide on syncing your installed presets you can read more from Adobe’s Blog.
Installing Mobile Presets In The Lightroom App
These steps work for both Android & iPhone Lightroom Apps
1. Download Your Presets
After purchasing or download your preset files, make sure you have them in an accessible location (e.g., File app, Downloads folder or iCloud Drive).
2. Install Lightroom Mobile
If you don't have it already, download the Adobe Lightroom Mobile App from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Log into your Adobe account or create a free account.
3. Import Your Presets
Open the Lightroom app and click on an image. Click on your presets icon. Make sure you are in the main preset section where you can see "Yours".
Click on the three vertical dots and select "Import Presets". Navigate to your downloaded zip file. You will see a notification come up saying your "Presets Successfully Installed".
4. Apply Your Presets
Open an image you want to edit and tap on the presets icon. Click on "Yours". Scroll through you list of presets and find the one you want to apply to your image. Click the checkmark in the bottom right corner to apply the preset.
5. Fine Tune Your Edits
After you apply a preset you can tap on the preset again and the preset opacity slider will appear. Drag the slider left or right to adjust the strength of the presets.
6. Export Your Photos
After you have edited your image, tap the export icon in the top-right corner and save the image to your device.
Organizing Your Lightroom Presets
Organizing your Lightroom presets is essential for staying efficient and ensuring you can easily find and apply the right preset when you are editing. With the organization you can streamline your workflow and save time, especially if you have a large collection of presets.
In the 2026 update Lightroom now has search bar above your presets panel that allows you filter for the preset you are looking for.
Lightroom Presets are a powerful tool for any photographer or content creator, from beginners to professionals. Presets allow you to save time, create consistency, and experiment with new editing styles. Whether you're editing portraiture, landscapes, product photography, or everyday photos, presets help you streamline the process while achieve professional results.
If you need any help installing your presets or have any questions Contact Lou & Marks Presets
FAQ — Installing Lightroom Presets
1. How do I install Lightroom presets on the Lightroom Mobile App (iPhone & Android)?
With the newest Lightroom Mobile update, you no longer need to import DNG files manually. Simply download your preset files, tap them once, and Lightroom Mobile will automatically recognize and import them into your Presets panel. Installation now takes just one click, and no subscription is required to use presets on the free Lightroom Mobile App.
2. How do I install presets in Lightroom Classic (LrC)?
In Lightroom Classic, go to the Develop module, open the Presets panel, and click the + icon. Choose Import Presets, select your .XMP files, and Lightroom will add them instantly to your preset folder. These install in one step and sync across all your Classic catalogs.
3. Can I install presets in the Lightroom CC (Cloud) Desktop App?
Yes. Open Lightroom (Cloud) on desktop, go to File → Import Profiles & Presets, select your .XMP files, and they will appear under the Presets tab. If you have Lightroom synced, they will also transfer to your phone automatically.
4. Do presets work on older Lightroom versions (Lightroom 4, 5, 6)?
Yes — presets for older Lightroom versions require .lrtemplate files. If your download includes both .XMP and .lrtemplate formats, simply import the .lrtemplate file through the Develop Presets panel. These versions do not support cloud syncing or mobile syncing.
5. Why do some presets come with both DNG and XMP files?
DNG files are required for the free Lightroom Mobile App, while XMP files are used for Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Photoshop ACR. Having both formats ensures your presets work seamlessly across every device — phone, desktop, or tablet.
6. What should I do if my presets aren’t showing up after installation?
If presets don’t appear, make sure you’re installing the correct file type for your app (XMP for mobile, XMP for desktop). Restart Lightroom after importing, confirm you’re in the Develop panel (for Classic), and check that the Presets panel is expanded. Re-downloading your files or clearing corrupted imports often resolves the issue.
