How to Import Lightroom Presets (Desktop, Mobile, and Adobe Camera Raw)

If you just bought presets and you’re staring at a zip file like “okay… now what,” this is for you. This guide shows you exactly how to import Lightroom presets (and brushes) on Mac, PC, Lightroom Mobile, and Adobe Camera Raw so you can start editing fast.

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Before you import

Most preset downloads come as a zip file. Inside, you will usually see one of these file types:

• XMP: the most common preset file for Lightroom Classic, Lightroom (cloud), and Adobe Camera Raw

• DNG: common for Lightroom Mobile presets (you import the DNG photos, then “Create Preset”)

• LRTemplate: older format, usually for older Lightroom Classic installs or older brush packs

What to do first:

1. Download the zip file.

2. Unzip it.

   
   

   • Mac: double click the zip

   • PC: right click, then Extract All

   
   

3. Save the unzipped folder somewhere easy to find (Desktop or Documents).

How to import Lightroom presets in Lightroom Classic (Mac + PC)

This is the most common import method.

1. Open Lightroom Classic.

2. Go to the Develop module.

3. On the left, find the Presets panel.

4. Click the plus sign and choose Import Presets.

5. Select your preset files.

   
   

   • If you see XMP files, select the XMPs (or the folder that contains them).

   • If you only see a zip file, do not import the zip. Unzip first, then import the files inside.

   
   

6. Click Import.

7. Look in the Presets panel for a new preset group (often named after the pack).

Quick tip: If the presets import but you do not see them, right click inside the Presets panel and make sure “Show Partially Compatible Presets” is not hiding them.

How to import presets in Lightroom (cloud desktop app)

If you use the Lightroom app called just “Lightroom” (not Classic):

1. Open Lightroom.

2. Go to the Edit panel.

3. Open Presets.

4. Choose the three dots menu, then select Import Presets.

5. Select the XMP preset files and import.

How to import Lightroom presets in Lightroom Mobile (iPhone + Android)

Mobile presets usually come in one of two ways: DNG files or XMP files. Use the steps that match what you downloaded.

Option A: Import DNG presets (most common)

1. Save the DNG files to your phone (Files app on iPhone, Downloads on Android).

2. Open Lightroom Mobile.

3. Tap the plus button to import, then add the DNG file(s).

4. Open a DNG image.

5. Tap the three dots menu, then tap Create Preset.

6. Name it, choose or create a preset group (example: “Jaide & Jett Mobile”), then save.

7. Repeat for each DNG file.

Option B: Import XMP presets (if your pack includes XMP)

1. Save the XMP files to your phone.

2. In Lightroom Mobile, go to Presets.

3. Use the menu in the Presets area and choose Import Presets, then select the XMP files.

   (If you do not see an import option in your app, use the DNG method above.)

How to import Lightroom presets in Adobe Camera Raw

1. Open Photoshop and go to Filter, then Camera Raw Filter.

   Or open a RAW photo directly in Camera Raw.

2. Click the Presets tab (the presets icon).

3. Click the three dots menu and choose Import Profiles and Presets.

4. Select your XMP files, then import.

Troubleshooting: if your presets are missing

Try these in order:

1. Restart Lightroom (seriously, it fixes a lot).

2. Confirm you imported the actual preset files, not the zip.

3. Make sure you’re in the right app.

   
   

   • Lightroom Classic presets do not always appear in Lightroom Mobile automatically.

   
   

4. In Lightroom Classic, check the Presets panel and scroll. Sometimes a new group is created lower in the list.

5. Re import and select the XMP files directly.

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