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 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 can now import in one step. This guide will show you 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. A preset can adjust exposure, contrast, tone curves, white balance, saturation, color grading, sharpening, and more all at once.

Presets help you create consistent edits across your gallery, build a cohesive Instagram or portfolio aesthetic, speed up your editing workflow, and achieve professional looking results, even as a beginner.

Whether you are a photographer, creator, influencer, small business owner, or someone editing everyday iPhone photos, presets make editing faster, easier, and more creative.

XMP vs DNG vs LRTemplate Presets (2026 Update)

Before you install your presets, it helps to understand the different file types you might see in your download.

XMP – The modern preset format used by Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC (cloud desktop), the current Lightroom Mobile app, and Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop.

DNG – A RAW image file that has a preset “baked in.” DNG was the original method for installing presets on the free Lightroom Mobile app. It is now more of a fallback or legacy method.

LRTemplate – The older preset format used by Lightroom 4, 5, 6, and early versions of Lightroom Classic (before version 7.3).

In 2026, most users will install and use XMP presets. DNG files are still useful if you are using an older app version or prefer the original mobile workflow. LRTemplate files are only needed if you are running older desktop versions of Lightroom.

How to Install Lightroom Presets on Lightroom Mobile (2026)

These methods work for the free and paid Lightroom Mobile app. The steps are slightly different for iPhone and Android, and for XMP vs DNG presets.

Install XMP Presets on iPhone (New 2026 Method)

This is the fastest and most up to date way to install presets on the Lightroom Mobile app using XMP files.

1. Download your presets to your iPhone. After purchase, download your preset ZIP file to your iPhone. It will usually save into the Files app in the Downloads or iCloud Drive section.
2. Open Lightroom Mobile. Install the free Lightroom Mobile app from the App Store if you do not already have it, then sign in or create a free Adobe account.
3. Open a photo and go to the Presets panel. Open any photo in Lightroom. Tap the Presets icon at the bottom toolbar.
4. Tap the three dots and choose “Import Presets.” In the Presets panel, tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Import Presets.
5. Select your ZIP file. Navigate to the location where you saved your preset ZIP file, select it, and tap Open or Import.
6. Wait for the confirmation message. Lightroom will import all XMP presets inside the ZIP and show a message that your presets were successfully installed.

How to Use Your Presets on iPhone (Apply, Adjust, Export)

Once your presets are installed, you’re ready to start editing. Here’s how to apply your presets, fine tune your edit, and export your finished photos using the Lightroom Mobile app on iPhone.

1. Apply your presets: Open a photo you want to edit in Lightroom Mobile and tap the Presets icon. Tap Yours to view your installed preset groups. Scroll through your presets and tap one to apply it. Tap the checkmark in the bottom-right corner to confirm.
2. Fine tune your edits: After applying a preset, tap the preset again to reveal the Amount slider. Drag the slider left for a softer effect or right for a stronger edit. You can also adjust exposure, white balance, and other settings to refine your final look.
3. Export your photos: When your edit is complete, tap the Share/Export icon in the top-right corner. Choose Save to Camera Roll or your preferred export option. Lightroom will save your edited image at full resolution.

Install XMP Presets on Android (2026 Update)

Many Android devices also support direct XMP preset import through a ZIP file.

1. Download your presets to your Android device. Save the preset ZIP file from your email or account to your Downloads folder or a cloud storage app.
2. Open Lightroom Mobile on Android. Install Lightroom Mobile from the Google Play Store if needed, then sign in with your Adobe account.
3. Open a photo and go to the Presets panel. Open any photo, then tap the Presets icon at the bottom toolbar.
4. Tap the three dots and select “Import Presets.” In the Presets panel, tap the three dots in the top right corner and choose Import Presets.
5. Select your ZIP or XMP files. Use your file manager to find the ZIP file or XMP files and confirm import. Lightroom will add the presets into a new preset group.

Install DNG Presets on iPhone (Older and Backup Method)

If your presets came as DNG files or you are using an older Lightroom Mobile version that does not support direct XMP import, you can install presets using the DNG method.

1. Download the DNG preset files to your iPhone. Download and unzip the preset folder. You will see a series of DNG images in your Files app.
2. Add the DNG files to Lightroom Mobile. Open Lightroom Mobile, tap the plus icon to add photos, and select the DNG files from the Files app. They will appear as images in your Lightroom library.
3. Open a DNG file and create a preset. Open one of the DNG images. Tap the three dots in the top right corner and choose Create Preset.
4. Name your preset and choose a preset group. Give your preset a clear name and create a new group (for example, “Lou & Marks Mobile Presets”) to keep everything organized.
5. Repeat for each DNG file. Repeat the same steps for each DNG file so that every preset is saved into your new preset group.

Install DNG Presets on Android (Universal Legacy Method)

You can also install DNG presets on Android, which is helpful if your preset pack is DNG only or your device is using an older Lightroom Mobile version.

1. Download and unzip your DNG preset files. Save and extract your ZIP file using your file manager. You will see a folder of DNG images.
2. Import DNG files into Lightroom Mobile. In Lightroom, tap the add photos icon and choose the folder with your DNG files. Add them all to your library.
3. Create presets from each DNG file. Open a DNG image, tap the three dots, and select Create Preset. Name the preset and assign it to a new preset group.
4. Repeat for each DNG preset. Repeat the process for every DNG file so that all presets are saved and ready to use.

Troubleshooting Lightroom Mobile Preset Installation

If your presets are not importing or showing up, try these quick fixes:

1. Update the Lightroom Mobile app. Make sure you are using the latest version from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Check the file type. XMP presets must be imported using the Import Presets option. DNG presets must be added as photos first.
3. Use the Files app on iPhone. If the ZIP will not open, save it to the Files app and try again from there.
4. Restart the app. Close and reopen Lightroom after importing.
5. Re-download the ZIP file. If your download was interrupted or corrupted, re-download your presets.

How to Install Lightroom Presets on Mac

On Mac, you can install presets for both Lightroom CC (cloud) and Lightroom Classic. The actual import steps happen inside each app, but it helps to know where your files live.

Where Presets Are Stored on Mac

For advanced users, Lightroom Classic presets are usually stored in the following folder on Mac:

Macintosh HD/Users/[Your Username]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Develop Presets

How to Install Presets in Lightroom CC (Cloud Desktop)

Lightroom CC (cloud desktop) uses XMP presets and can sync those presets to your mobile devices.

1. Download your preset ZIP file.
2. Open Lightroom on your desktop.
3. Open a photo.
4. Click the Presets icon.
5. Click the three dots in the Presets panel and choose Import Presets.
6. Select the ZIP file and click Import.

Once imported, your presets will appear in the Presets panel and can sync to Lightroom Mobile when sync is enabled.

How to Use the Opacity Slider in Lightroom CC

Lightroom CC includes an Amount slider that acts like an opacity control for your presets. This gives you full flexibility to soften or intensify any preset with one simple adjustment. Here is how to use the opacity slider:

1. Apply a preset as usual in the Presets panel.
2. Look for the Amount slider at the left of the panel.
3. Drag left to reduce the effect for a softer, more natural look.
4. Drag right to increase the strength for a bolder, more stylized edit.
5. This slider works with all modern XMP presets and is one of the easiest ways to fine tune your edits while keeping the original preset style intact.

How to Install Presets in Lightroom Classic (LrC)

Lightroom Classic remains one of the most popular options for photographers. It uses XMP presets in current versions.

1. Download your preset ZIP file to your computer.
2. Open Lightroom Classic and switch to the Develop module.
3. In the Presets panel, click the plus (+) icon.
4. Select Import Presets.
5. Choose your ZIP file or select XMP files directly.
6. Click Import. Your presets will appear in the Presets panel.

How to Use the Opacity Slider in Lightroom Classic (LrC)

Lightroom Classic includes an Amount slider that acts like an opacity control for your presets. This gives you full flexibility to soften or intensify any preset with one simple adjustment. Here is how to use the opacity slider:

1. Apply a preset as usual in the Presets panel.
2. Look for the Amount slider at the left of the panel.
3. Drag left to reduce the effect for a softer, more natural look.
4. Drag right to increase the strength for a bolder, more stylized edit.
5. This slider works with all modern XMP presets and is one of the easiest ways to fine tune your edits while keeping the original preset style intact.

How to Install Lightroom Presets on Windows PC

On Windows, the steps are similar to Mac. You install presets from inside Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic.

Lightroom CC (Cloud) on Windows

1. Download the preset ZIP file to your computer.
2. Open Lightroom (cloud version).
3. Open a photo and go to the Presets panel.
4. Click the three dots and choose Import Presets.
5. Select your ZIP file and confirm.

Lightroom Classic (LrC) on Windows

1. Download your preset ZIP file.
2. Open Lightroom Classic and switch to the Develop module.
3. Click the plus (+) icon in the Presets panel.
4. Select Import Presets and choose your ZIP or XMP files.

Where Presets Are Stored on Windows

Lightroom Classic presets are typically stored here:

C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Develop Presets

Why Presets Might Not Show in Lightroom Classic

• Make sure you are in the Develop module, not Library.
• Expand all preset groups to see if your presets were placed in a new group.
• Confirm that you imported XMP presets and not LRTemplate files into a very old version.

How to Install Presets in Photoshop (Adobe Camera Raw)

If you edit in Photoshop, you can use XMP presets in Adobe Camera Raw.

1. Download and unzip your preset files if necessary.
2. Open Photoshop and open a RAW file so that it opens in Adobe Camera Raw.
3. In the Camera Raw window, open the Presets panel.
4. Click the three dots or preset panel menu and choose Import Profiles & Presets or Import Presets (depending on the version).
5. Select your XMP preset files or preset ZIP and click Open.

Your presets will now appear in the Presets panel inside Camera Raw and can be applied to your RAW images before you open them fully in Photoshop.

Photoshop Elements and Older Photoshop Versions

Photoshop Elements and some older versions of Photoshop do not support modern XMP Lightroom presets the same way Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw do.

Photoshop Elements is designed as a simplified version of Photoshop. It focuses more on guided edits and uses actions and manual tools rather than XMP style Lightroom presets.

Older Photoshop versions (before Creative Cloud) may not support the current XMP preset structure and workflow.

If you are using Photoshop Elements or an older Photoshop version, the best workflow is usually to:

• Install and use your presets in Lightroom Mobile, Lightroom CC, or Lightroom Classic first.
• Export your edited images and then open them in Photoshop or Elements for any final retouching.
• This gives you the full preset look and flexibility of Lightroom while still allowing you to use Photoshop for detailed edits when needed.

How to Install LRTemplate Presets (Lightroom 4–6)

If you are using Lightroom 4, 5, 6, or an early version of Lightroom Classic, your presets may come in the older .lrtemplate format.

1. Download and extract your preset ZIP. Find the folder containing your .lrtemplate files.
2. Open Lightroom and go to Preferences. On Mac: Lightroom > Preferences > Presets. On Windows: Edit > Preferences > Presets.
3. Click “Show Lightroom Presets Folder.” This opens the main Lightroom settings folder.
4. Open the Develop Presets folder. Inside, you will see folders where you can place your .lrtemplate files.
5. Copy and paste your .lrtemplate preset folders. Move or copy your downloaded preset folders into the Develop Presets folder.
6. Restart Lightroom. Close and reopen Lightroom so it can load your new presets.

Presets vs Actions – What Is the Difference?

Presets and actions are both powerful editing tools, but they work in different programs and in different ways.

Lightroom presets are designed for Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw. They change slider values and settings inside Lightroom to create a look. They are ideal for batch editing and consistent styles across many photos.

Photoshop actions are for Photoshop. An action records a series of steps and plays them back automatically, applying multiple adjustments and commands in sequence.

You cannot install a Lightroom preset as a Photoshop action and you cannot install a Photoshop action as a Lightroom preset. Many photographers use both: presets for overall color and tone in Lightroom, and actions or layer-based edits in Photoshop for retouching and fine detail work.

How to Use Presets After Installing Them

Once your presets are installed, the most important step is learning how to use them in a flexible, natural way.

1. Apply the preset first. Choose a preset that matches the light and mood of your image.
2. Adjust exposure and white balance. Every image is lit differently. It is normal to tweak exposure, contrast, and temperature after applying a preset.
3. Use the Amount slider when available. In newer Lightroom versions, the Amount slider lets you fade the preset for a softer look or intensify it.
4. Fine tune details. Adjust highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, and clarity as needed.
5. Remember that presets are starting points, not strict rules. A few small adjustments after applying a preset will help your images look polished and professional.

Common Installation Problems and Fixes

If your presets are not working the way you expect, here are some of the most common issues and how to fix them.

• Presets not showing at all: Make sure you installed them into the correct app (Lightroom CC vs Lightroom Classic) and that you are in the Develop module or Presets panel.
• Wrong file type error: You might be trying to import LRTemplate files into a modern XMP-only workflow, or trying to import XMP directly as photos. Match the file type to the correct method.
• Mobile import button missing: Update the Lightroom Mobile app. If Import Presets is not available, use the DNG method instead.
• ZIP file will not open: Save the ZIP to a file manager (Files on iPhone, a file app on Android) and try again. If needed, re-download your presets.
• Presets look too strong or too dark: Use the Amount slider or reduce contrast, blacks, or saturation after applying the preset.

Organizing Your Lightroom Presets (2026)

As your preset collection grows, organizing them will help you edit faster.

• Create preset groups for different styles such as Portrait, Wedding, Travel, Film, or Product.
• Remove duplicates and old test presets you no longer use.
• Use the search bar in the Presets panel in newer Lightroom versions to quickly find a preset by name.
• Keep your favorite everyday presets at the top of your list so they are easy to reach.

The Best Lightroom Presets 2026

The best Lightroom presets for 2026 are Lou & Marks Golden Boho, Lou & Marks Kodak Portra 400 Film, Lou & Marks True Color, Lou & Marks Vintage Film, Lou & Marks Kodak Tri-X Black & White Film, and Lou & Marks Starter Bundle—each offering a clean, modern aesthetic that works beautifully for photographers, creators, and everyday editors.

FAQ – Installing Lightroom Presets

How do I add presets to Lightroom Mobile?

Download your presets to your phone, open Lightroom Mobile, tap Presets, tap the three dots, and choose Import Presets. Select your ZIP or XMP file and Lightroom will install them. If your app does not support Import Presets, you can use the DNG method by importing DNG files as photos and creating presets from them.

How do I install presets in Lightroom Classic?

In Lightroom Classic, go to the Develop module, open the Presets panel, and click the plus (+) icon. Choose Import Presets, select your ZIP or XMP files, and click Import. Your presets will appear in the Presets panel.

Can I use the same presets on mobile and desktop?

Yes. Modern XMP presets can work in Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile. If you install them in Lightroom CC on desktop and have sync enabled, your presets can sync to Lightroom Mobile.

What is the difference between XMP and DNG presets?

XMP presets are modern preset files that store slider settings and work across Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw. DNG presets are image files with edits applied that you convert into presets manually. XMP is now the standard format, while DNG is mostly a legacy or backup method for mobile.

Can I install Lightroom presets in Photoshop Elements?

Photoshop Elements does not support Lightroom XMP presets in the same way that Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw does. For best results, apply your presets in Lightroom Mobile, Lightroom CC, or Lightroom Classic, then export the edited image and open it in Elements for any additional retouching.

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