If you’ve just downloaded a set of Lightroom presets and aren’t sure what to do next, you’re in the right place. Installing Lightroom presets is a quick process.
First, go to the Develop module → Presets panel → click “+” → Import Presets — and once they’re in, applying them takes just a single click. This guide walks through every method: desktop (Lightroom Classic), mobile, bulk importing, and troubleshooting when things don’t go as expected.
What Are Lightroom Presets?
A Lightroom preset is a saved collection of edit settings. Exposure, color grading, tone curves, sharpening, and more can be applied to any photo instantly. Think of it as a one-click recipe for a specific look or style.
Why photographers use presets:
- Speed: Apply a consistent look across dozens of photos in minutes instead of hours.
- Consistency: Keep your portfolio or client gallery cohesive without re-dialing the same settings repeatedly.
- Style: Explore creative directions like film emulation, moody landscapes, bright airy portraits all without starting from scratch every time.
Whether you’re just getting started or building a professional workflow, presets are one of the fastest ways to level up your editing.
What You Need Before You Install Presets
- Downloaded preset files
Preset files are typically delivered as a ZIP archive. Extract the ZIP first, most operating systems let you right-click and select “Extract All” or “Unzip.” Place the extracted files somewhere easy to find, like your Downloads folder.
- Know your file type
Lightroom presets come in two formats:
- .XMP — the current standard, compatible with Lightroom Classic CC 7.3 and newer. This is what most modern preset packs use.
- .LRTEMPLATE — the legacy format used by older versions of Lightroom. Lightroom Classic can still import these, but they’re less common now.
- Desktop vs. mobile differences
Lightroom Classic (desktop) uses file-based importing. Lightroom Mobile doesn’t support direct file imports the same way, it relies on syncing via Adobe Creative Cloud or the DNG method covered below.
How to Install Lightroom Presets (Desktop — Lightroom Classic)
Step 1: Open the Develop Module
Launch Lightroom Classic and click “Develop” in the top-right module bar. You can also press the keyboard shortcut “D” to jump straight there. You’ll need to have at least one photo open or selected in your library.
Step 2: Find the Presets Panel
On the left side of the Develop module, you’ll see a panel called “Presets.” Click the arrow next to it to expand the panel if it isn’t already open.
Step 3: Click “Import Presets”
Just to the right of the Presets panel header, you’ll see a small “+” icon. Click it to open a dropdown menu, then select “Import Presets.”
Step 4: Select and Import Files
A file browser window will open. Navigate to the folder where your preset files are saved, typically your Downloads folder. Select the .XMP or .LRTEMPLATE files you want to import. You can hold Shift or Ctrl/Cmd to select multiple files from the same pack at once, then click “Import.”
Step 5: Confirm Presets Are Installed
Once imported, your presets will appear inside the Presets panel, organized into folders by pack name. Hover over any preset name to see a live preview on your photo in the Navigator panel at the top left. Click to apply.
How to Install Lightroom Presets (Mobile)
Lightroom Mobile doesn’t support direct file imports from your device the way the desktop version does. Here are the two main methods:
Method 1: Sync via Adobe Creative Cloud (Recommended)
If you have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, install the presets in Lightroom Classic on your desktop first (steps above). Lightroom Classic will automatically sync your presets to Lightroom Mobile via the cloud. This is the most seamless method, no extra steps required once the desktop install is done.
Method 2: DNG Method (No Desktop Required)
Some preset creators distribute presets as .DNG files specifically for mobile use. To use these:
- Transfer the DNG preset files to your phone (via email, cloud storage, or AirDrop).
- Import the DNG files into Lightroom Mobile like you would any photo.
- Open a DNG preset file in Lightroom Mobile, then tap the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top right.
- Select “Create Preset” and save it. Your preset is now available to apply to any photo.
How to Use Lightroom Presets
Once installed, applying a preset takes one click:
- Open a photo in the Develop module (Classic) or tap a photo (Mobile).
- In the Presets panel, browse your installed packs and hover to preview.
- Click the preset name to apply it.
After applying, you’re not locked in. Presets are a starting point — adjust exposure, white balance, or any other slider to dial in the exact look you want. Presets work on both RAW and JPEG files, though RAW files give you more latitude to tweak after applying.
How to Install Multiple Presets at Once
If you downloaded a large preset pack, you don’t need to import files one at a time. During the import step, simply select all the .XMP files in the folder, use Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) to select everything, then click “Import.” All presets in the pack will be installed in a single operation, grouped together in the Presets panel.
For preset packs delivered as a folder structure, you can also drag the entire extracted folder directly onto the Presets panel in Lightroom Classic.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Presets Not Showing Up
If your presets aren’t appearing after import, the most common cause is that Lightroom is set to show only presets compatible with your current photo. In the Presets panel, click the panel options (the small “+” menu) and make sure “Show Partially Compatible Presets” is checked. Also try restarting Lightroom, occasionally a fresh launch is all it takes.
Wrong File Type
If you’re trying to import a file and Lightroom won’t accept it, check the file extension. Lightroom Classic accepts .XMP and .LRTEMPLATE. If your preset came as a .ZIP file, you need to extract it first before importing.
Lightroom Version Issues
Very old preset packs built for Lightroom 4 or 5 may not import cleanly into modern versions. Check the preset creator’s website for an updated version. Most reputable pack makers offer free updates.
Mobile Sync Problems
If presets installed on desktop aren’t showing up in Lightroom Mobile, make sure:
- You’re signed into the same Adobe ID on both devices.
- Lightroom Classic’s sync is enabled: go to File → Start Syncing in the top menu.
- Allow a few minutes for the sync to complete — large libraries can take longer.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Presets
Adjust after applying. Presets are a starting point, not a final answer. After applying one, fine-tune exposure, highlights, and shadows to match the specific lighting of your shot.
Use batch editing. Apply a preset to one photo, then use Lightroom’s “Sync Settings” feature to push those edits to an entire shoot at once. This is one of the biggest time-savers in a professional workflow.
Build a consistent editing style. Over time, identify two or three presets you return to most often and treat them as your signature look. Tweak them until they feel like your own, then save the modified version as a new preset.
Free Lightroom Presets from ON1
Looking for high-quality presets to start with? ON1 offers a growing library of free Lightroom presets crafted for real-world photography across every genre.
Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, street photography, or travel, the collection includes looks ranging from clean and natural to bold and cinematic. Each preset is designed to work as a strong starting point you can adjust to suit your shot.
Download Free Lightroom Presets from ON1 →
Lightroom Presets vs. Editing Manually
Speed vs. control is the classic trade-off, but with presets you don’t actually have to choose. Presets give you instant speed and a consistent creative direction, while Lightroom’s sliders give you the control to refine from there.
When presets win: Batch-editing a large event shoot, maintaining a consistent Instagram aesthetic, or quickly exploring different styles without starting from zero each time.
When manual editing wins: Complex lighting situations that no preset can account for perfectly, or building a totally unique look from the ground up.
In practice, most experienced photographers use both: presets as a fast baseline, manual adjustments for the finishing touches.
Installing Lightroom Presets Is Easy
Once you’ve done it once, the whole process takes under a minute. Download your preset pack, extract the ZIP, open Lightroom Classic, and use the Presets panel to import. From there, you’re one click away from a completely transformed photo.
Ready to get started? Browse and download free Lightroom presets from ON1 and start experimenting with your editing today.
Lightroom Presets FAQs
How do I install presets in Lightroom Classic?
Go to the Develop module, open the Presets panel on the left, click the “+” icon, select “Import Presets,” and navigate to your downloaded .XMP or .LRTEMPLATE files. Select them and click Import. Your presets will appear in the panel immediately.
Why won’t my presets show up after importing?
The most common reasons are: (1) the ZIP file wasn’t extracted before importing, (2) Lightroom is filtering out partially compatible presets, check the panel settings to enable them, or (3) you need to restart Lightroom after importing.
Are presets compatible across devices?
Presets installed on Lightroom Classic will sync to Lightroom Mobile via Adobe Creative Cloud as long as sync is enabled and you’re signed into the same Adobe ID. Mobile-only presets in DNG format do not automatically sync to desktop.
Do presets work on RAW and JPEG files?
Yes, Lightroom presets work on both RAW and JPEG files. RAW files give you significantly more flexibility to adjust the preset after applying it, since they retain more tonal information than JPEGs.