How to Get Lightroom Presets on Mobile

Yet another great thing about Lightroom presets is that they are not exclusively for desktop use! All of your favourite presets can be used on mobile as well. Sometimes it can be a bit tricky getting them set up and ready to use, but with the steps we have for you below, you will be able to get your presets installed in no time!

If you use Lightroom CC on your computer already, it is super simple to get your presets on your mobile device. Follow the steps below to learn how to install Lightroom Presets on Mobile!

How to Install Lightroom Presets on Mobile Using the Lightroom CC Desktop App (XMP Files)

Step 1: Open the Lightroom CC Desktop App

The Lightroom CC app will automatically sync your presets and profiles from Lightroom Classic. This should sync all the presets you have previously used in Lightroom Classic so that they show up in the mobile app.

However, if the sync does not happen automatically, or you need to add new presets, you can follow the steps below!

Step 2: Import Profiles and Presets

The first step to importing your presets is to select “Import Profiles and Presets” under “File”. Here, you will be able to make sure that your preset files are in the right location.

All Lightroom presets should be in the “Settings” folder under Library > Application Support > Adobe > Camera Raw > Settings. (This folder will open automatically when you click the “Import Profiles and Presets” button so do not worry about trying to dig for a folder!)

Open the folder that contains your preset files (if they have not been moved already) and simply drag them into this “Settings” folder.

Step 3: Sync Presets

Once you have installed your presets in the correct location, you can sync them. Begin by clicking the “Presets” button, and then the drop-down menu found under the three dots icon.

Select “Import Presets”, and import the presets from the folder mentioned above.

After this, double check that Lightroom CC is synced with Lightroom Mobile by clicking on the cloud icon in the top corner.

 

Your presets should now be synced between Lightroom CC and Lightroom Mobile!

If you do not have Lightroom CC on your desktop, either because you use an older version of Lightroom Classic, or only have the free version of Lightroom Mobile and do not pay the subscription fee, you can still install your presets on mobile! Follow the instructions below.

TIP: If you are having difficulty getting your presets to sync across your devices, double check to make sure you are signed into the same Creative Cloud account on each one! Your presets will be associated with one account, and you will not be able to access synced files on your device if it is logged into a different account!

How to Install Presets on Lightroom Mobile without using the Lightroom CC Desktop App (DNG Files)

Below you will find two different ways you can use to get your Lightroom presets installed on your mobile device.

Method #1: Add Presets as Photos

Step 1: Unzip the downloaded folder that contains your preset files.

If you have a computer handy, you can unzip the presets folder there. Once you have unzipped the folder, upload the files to your cloud storage (like Dropbox, for example).

If you do not have access to a computer, you can download an app like iZip or WinZip in order to unzip the folder. Your phone cannot unzip a folder on its own, but with these apps you will be able to unzip the folder and then save the presets to your camera roll!

Once you have unzipped your preset folder you can move on to step 3!

Step 2: Open Lightroom Mobile on your device.

Step 3: Tap the three dots (…) icon at the top right corner of your screen.

Step 4: Choose the “Add Photos” option.

Step 5: Select the location where you saved the preset files (Dropbox, your camera roll, etc.)

Step 6: Select the DNG file you would like to install first.

Step 7: The file will then install in Lightroom Mobile and you will be able to use your presets!
Step 8: Repeat for each preset file.

Below is a video tutorial showing how to install your Lightroom presets using this method:

Method #2: Create Presets

Step 1: Again, begin by having the unzipped DNG files available on your device, either by saving them to your phone or having them saved to Dropbox or similar cloud storage service.
Step 2: Select the DNG file you want to install as a preset from your photos library.
Step 3: Once the photo is open, tap the three dots (…) icon at the top right corner of your screen.
Step 4: Tap “Create Preset”.

Step 5: Name the preset accordingly! The best approach here is to make sure each preset is named the same thing it would be on your desktop (if you are using both) so you always know exactly which preset you are using.

If the presets you are installing are part of a pack:
Step 6: Tap “User Presets” and then tap “Create New Group”
Step 7: Name the group the same name as the preset pack you are installing (in the photo above, you can see that we have named the group “Adventure Vibes”).
Step 8: Tap all the check boxes to select all the presets you want to add to this group.
Step 9: Tap “Save”.

Your presets are now installed on your mobile device and ready to be applied to your photos!

Watch a video tutorial here:

Once you have taken the steps to make sure your presets are installed across all your devices, you are all set to start editing your photos on whatever device you choose!