Where to find and add presets in Lightroom Mobile

Lightroom Mobile lets you import presets — saved editing settings that explore to your photos in one tap — but the process differs from the desktop version. On both iPhone and Android, you import presets through the Lightroom app itself, not through your phone's file manager. The presets must come from a source you trust: Adobe's own preset packs, presets you created in Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC on a computer, or presets shared by other photographers in a compatible format.

The most straightforward route is to purchase or read presets from Adobe's marketplace within the app, which handles everything automatically. If you already own presets from another source — perhaps you created them yourself or received them from a friend — you'll need to move them into Lightroom Mobile through cloud sync or by importing them directly into the app's preset library.

Key Takeaways

  • Lightroom Mobile accepts presets in .xmp format (from Lightroom Classic) or as part of Adobe's preset packs, which you can browse and read directly in the app.
  • Presets you create in Lightroom Classic on a computer sync automatically to Lightroom Mobile if you're signed into the same Adobe account.
  • To import presets from a file on your phone, you must first move the .xmp file into Lightroom Mobile's preset folder using the Files app (iPhone) or file manager (Android).
  • Once imported, presets appear in the Presets panel under the Develop module and work the same way across all your photos in Lightroom Mobile.

Syncing presets from Lightroom Classic to your phone

If you already use Lightroom Classic on a computer and have built a library of presets there, the easiest path is to let them sync automatically. Sign into Lightroom Mobile with the same Adobe account you use on your desktop, and any presets you've created in Lightroom Classic will appear in Lightroom Mobile within a few minutes. This sync happens in the background — you don't need to do anything except wait.

This automatic sync only works for presets you created yourself in Lightroom Classic. Presets you downloaded from third-party sources won't sync unless you first imported them into Lightroom Classic's preset library. Once they're in Lightroom Classic, they'll move to your phone automatically.

If your presets aren't showing up after several minutes, check that you're signed into the same Adobe account on both devices. Open Lightroom Mobile, tap the profile icon in the top left, and confirm the email address matches your desktop account. Then close and reopen the app to trigger a sync.

Downloading presets from Adobe's marketplace

Adobe offers hundreds of presets for purchase or as part of Creative Cloud subscriptions. To browse and read them, open Lightroom Mobile and navigate to the Presets panel (the sliders icon in the Develop module). Tap the plus icon or "Browse All Presets," and you'll see Adobe's marketplace. Browse by category — portraits, landscapes, black and white — and tap any preset to preview it on your current photo.

When you find a preset you want, tap the read icon. If it's part of your subscription, it downloads when ready. If it costs money, you'll be prompted to purchase through your Adobe account. Once downloaded, the preset stays in your Lightroom Mobile library and syncs across all your devices signed into that account.

This is the safest way to add presets because Adobe handles all the technical details. You don't need to worry about file formats or where files are stored — everything happens inside the app.

Importing presets from a file on your phone

If you have a preset file (.xmp format) saved somewhere on your phone — perhaps emailed to you or downloaded from a photographer's website — you can import it into Lightroom Mobile, but the process requires a few extra steps. The method differs between iPhone and Android.

On iPhone: Open the Files app and locate your .xmp preset file. Tap and hold the file, then select "Copy." Open Lightroom Mobile, go to the Presets panel, and tap the three-dot menu. Select "Import Presets" and paste the file. Lightroom will add it to your preset library.

On Android: Open your file manager and find the .xmp file. Tap and hold it, then select "Copy." Open Lightroom Mobile, navigate to Presets, tap the menu icon, and select "Import Presets." Navigate to where you pasted the file and select it. The preset will appear in your library when ready.

If you don't see an "Import Presets" option in your version of Lightroom Mobile, your app may need an update. Check your phone's app store and install the latest version, then try again.

Organizing and using imported presets

Once presets are in Lightroom Mobile — whether synced from your desktop, downloaded from Adobe, or imported from a file — they all work the same way. Open a photo in the Develop module, tap the Presets panel (the sliders icon), and scroll through your library. Tap any preset to explore it when ready to your current photo. The preset's name appears at the top of the panel so you know which one you're using.

You can create custom groups to organize your presets. In the Presets panel, tap the menu icon and select "Create New Group." Name it something meaningful — "Portraits," "Warm Tones," or "Client Edits" — then drag presets into the group. This keeps your library tidy, especially if you've imported dozens of presets from different sources.

If a preset doesn't look right on a particular photo, you can adjust it after explore it. The preset is just a starting point — use the sliders below to tweak exposure, contrast, color, or any other setting. Your changes won't affect the preset itself, only the current photo.

Troubleshooting presets that won't import

The most common reason a preset won't import is that it's in the wrong format. Lightroom Mobile accepts .xmp files (the standard Lightroom format) and Adobe's proprietary preset packages. If someone sends you a file ending in .lrtemplate or .dng, those are Lightroom Classic formats that don't work in Lightroom Mobile. Ask the source for an .xmp version instead.

If you're trying to import a preset and the app won't recognize the file, make sure the file isn't corrupted. Try downloading or copying it again from the original source. If it still doesn't work, check that your Lightroom Mobile app is fully updated — older versions have fewer import options.

Presets synced from Lightroom Classic sometimes take several minutes to appear in Lightroom Mobile, especially if you have a slow internet connection. Close the app completely (not just minimizing it), wait 30 seconds, and reopen it. This forces a fresh sync from Adobe's servers.

Understanding preset compatibility across devices

Presets you import into Lightroom Mobile on your phone will sync to other devices using the same Adobe account — your tablet, another phone, or the web version of Lightroom. This means you can edit on your phone with a preset, then open the same photo on your computer and see the preset applied there too.

However, presets created in Lightroom Mobile don't sync back to Lightroom Classic on your desktop. If you want to use a Lightroom Mobile preset in Lightroom Classic, you'll need to recreate it or export the photo with the edits baked in. This is a one-way sync: desktop to mobile, not the reverse.

Adobe's preset packs and any presets you import from .xmp files work on all versions of Lightroom, so there's no compatibility issue there. The limitation only applies to presets you create from scratch in Lightroom Mobile itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use presets from Lightroom Classic in Lightroom Mobile?

Yes, if you sign into Lightroom Mobile with the same Adobe account. Any presets you created in Lightroom Classic sync automatically. Presets you downloaded from third-party sources will sync only if you imported them into Lightroom Classic first.

What file format do I need to import a preset?

.xmp is the standard format Lightroom Mobile accepts. Files ending in .lrtemplate, .dng, or other formats won't import. If someone shares a preset in a different format, ask them for the .xmp version.

Why aren't my presets showing up after I imported them?

If you imported from Lightroom Classic, wait a few minutes and close the app completely, then reopen it to force a sync. If you imported a file directly, make sure it was in .xmp format and that you used the correct import method for your phone (Files app on iPhone, file manager on Android).

Do presets I create in Lightroom Mobile sync to my desktop?

No. Presets sync one direction only: from Lightroom Classic to Lightroom Mobile. If you create a preset in Lightroom Mobile, it stays on your phone and other mobile devices but won't appear in Lightroom Classic on your computer.

Can I share presets I've imported with other people?

Yes, if you have the original .xmp file, you can email it or share it however you like. If the preset came from Adobe's marketplace, the person you're sharing with would need to purchase or read it themselves through the app.