The fastest way to add presets to Lightroom Mobile

Lightroom Mobile accepts presets in two ways: through the cloud from your desktop Lightroom, or by importing them directly into the app from files on your phone. The cloud method is simpler if you already use Lightroom on a computer — your presets sync automatically once you save them to the cloud. If you only use Lightroom Mobile or want to add presets someone sent you, you import them as files through your phone's file system or through a shared link.

Which route you take depends on where your presets live right now. Desktop presets that you've already saved to your Lightroom cloud library appear in Mobile without any extra work. Presets in files — either ones you downloaded or ones a photographer shared with you — need to be imported through the app or your phone's file manager.

Key Takeaways

  • Presets you create or save in desktop Lightroom automatically appear in Lightroom Mobile if you are signed into the same Adobe account and connected to the internet.
  • To import preset files directly into Lightroom Mobile, open the file on your phone and select "Open in Lightroom" from the share menu, or use your file manager to navigate to the preset file.
  • Preset files for Lightroom Mobile use the .dng or .lrtemplate format on iOS and Android, though the exact format depends on which version of Lightroom you are using.
  • Once imported, presets appear in the Presets panel under "User Presets" and stay in your library even if you uninstall and reinstall the app, as long as you are signed into your Adobe account.

Syncing presets from desktop Lightroom to Mobile

If you use Lightroom on a Windows or Mac computer, any preset you save to your cloud library syncs to Lightroom Mobile automatically. Open Lightroom on your desktop, right-click the preset you want to share with Mobile, and select "Mark for Sync" or straightforward save new presets to your cloud library. Within a few minutes, the preset appears in the Presets panel on your phone under "User Presets."

This sync only works if you are signed into the same Adobe account on both devices and your phone has an internet connection. If a preset does not appear after several minutes, check that you are logged in to Lightroom Mobile with the same email address you use on your desktop, and that your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Desktop presets that are stored only on your computer — not in the cloud — will not appear in Mobile. To move them to the cloud, open Lightroom on your desktop, find the preset file in your Presets folder, and import it into Lightroom. Then save it to your cloud library so it syncs to your phone.

Importing preset files directly into the app

To add a preset file that someone sent you or that you downloaded from the internet, open the file on your phone and choose "Open in Lightroom" from the share menu. Lightroom Mobile imports the preset automatically and adds it to your User Presets. The preset then syncs to your cloud library and appears on any other device where you are signed in.

On iOS, you can also open the Files app, navigate to the preset file, tap it, and select Lightroom from the "Open in" menu. On Android, use your file manager to find the preset file, long-press it, and select "Open with" followed by Lightroom. Either method imports the preset into the app in the same way.

Preset files come in different formats depending on the source. Lightroom Mobile accepts .dng files (which are actually image files that contain preset data), .lrtemplate files, and in some cases .xmp sidecar files. If you receive a preset in a different format, you may need to convert it or import it through desktop Lightroom first and then sync it to Mobile.

Where to find your imported presets

Once you import a preset, it appears in the Presets panel at the bottom of the editing screen. Tap the Presets icon (it looks like a square with sliders), and your imported presets are listed under "User Presets" at the top of the panel. Adobe's built-in presets appear below in separate categories like "B&W", "Modern", and "Vintage."

Presets you import stay in your library permanently, even if you delete and reinstall Lightroom Mobile, as long as you sign back in with the same Adobe account. They also sync across all your devices — if you import a preset on your phone, it appears in Lightroom on your desktop and in Lightroom on any tablet you use.

Troubleshooting presets that do not appear

If a preset file does not import or does not appear after you import it, first check that the file format is compatible with Lightroom Mobile. Presets created for Lightroom Classic (the desktop version) sometimes use formats that Mobile does not recognize. Try opening the preset file in desktop Lightroom first, saving it to your cloud library, and then checking Mobile to see if it syncs.

If the preset still does not appear, sign out of Lightroom Mobile completely, wait a few seconds, and sign back in. This forces the app to refresh your cloud library. Make sure you are connected to the internet when you sign back in, because presets sync only when you have an active connection.

If you are trying to import a preset file and the "Open in Lightroom" option does not appear, your phone may not recognize the file as a preset. Rename the file to make sure it has the correct extension (.dng, .lrtemplate, or .xmp), and try again. If the file is corrupted or in an unsupported format, you may need to ask the person who created it for a different version.

Creating and saving your own presets in Mobile

You can create a preset directly in Lightroom Mobile without needing desktop Lightroom. Edit a photo the way you want it to look, tap the Presets icon, and tap the plus sign in the top right corner of the Presets panel. Name your preset and choose which settings to include (exposure, color, effects, and so on). Tap "Create Preset" and it saves to your User Presets.

Presets you create in Mobile sync to your cloud library and appear in desktop Lightroom under "User Presets" as well. This means you can build a preset library entirely on your phone and use those presets on your desktop, or vice versa. The sync works both directions as long as you are signed into the same account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use presets from Lightroom Classic in Lightroom Mobile?

Most Lightroom Classic presets work in Mobile, but some do not because Classic supports settings that Mobile does not. If a Classic preset does not import, try opening it in desktop Lightroom, saving it to your cloud library, and syncing it to Mobile. Lightroom will convert it to a format Mobile understands.

What happens to my presets if I switch phones?

Your presets stay in your Adobe cloud library, so they appear automatically when you sign into Lightroom Mobile on a new phone. You do not need to import them again. Just sign in with the same email address and wait a few minutes for the sync to complete.

Can I share a preset I created with someone else?

Yes. In Lightroom Mobile, tap and hold the preset you want to share, select "Export," and choose how you want to send it — email, messaging, cloud storage, or another app. The preset exports as a file that the other person can import into their own Lightroom Mobile by opening the file and selecting "Open in Lightroom."

Do I need a paid Adobe subscription to use presets in Lightroom Mobile?

You need an Adobe account to use Lightroom Mobile, but the free version of the app includes presets and lets you import your own. A paid Creative Cloud subscription gives you access to additional Adobe presets and more editing features, but importing and using presets works the same way on the free version.

Why do my presets not sync between my phone and desktop?

Presets sync only when both devices are signed into the same Adobe account and connected to the internet. Check that you are using the same email address on both devices, that both are online, and that you have waited at least a few minutes for the sync to complete. If presets still do not appear, sign out and back in on both devices.