Step-by-Step Guide to Import Presets in Adobe Lightroom (Mobile & Desktop) 2025 Edition

Presets are one of the most sought-after tools in Adobe Lightroom, offering a powerful shortcut to professional-grade photo editing. These are pre-configured adjustments that instantly transform the look of your photos or videos with just a single click. Whether you’re aiming for cinematic tones, warm vintage styles, or crisp high-contrast edits, Lightroom presets help you achieve stunning results quickly—without spending hours tweaking individual settings. Compatible across all versions including Lightroom CC, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom Mobile (for Android and iOS), these presets are perfect for both beginners and experts you can enjoy with amazing presets.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through an easy-to-follow process to install and import Lightroom presets so you can accelerate your editing workflow and maintain consistency across your creative projects.

How to Add Presets in Adobe Lightroom Classic (Desktop Version) 2025

Adobe Lightroom Classic (LrC) is specifically built for professionals who want powerful desktop-based photo editing capabilities. Unlike the cloud-based Lightroom CC, this version is designed for Windows and macOS users, offering deeper control and supporting .XMP preset files for advanced workflows it’s very amazing .

In this guide, you’ll learn three easy and effective methods to install presets in Lightroom Classic. Whether you’re importing for the first time or organizing a large collection, these steps will help you get the most out of your editing tools.

Method 1: Drag and Drop Presets into Lightroom Classic

• Download your preferred Lightroom presets (in .XMP format) and save them to an easy-to-locate folder on your PC or Mac.

• For Windows, open File Explorer. For Mac, use Finder to browse to the folder containing the downloaded presets.

• Select the preset files you want to import.

• Open Lightroom Classic, and in any module, drag the selected .XMP files into the app window.

• A pop-up titled “Import Presets” will appear. Click Import to confirm.

• You can now find these presets under the “User Presets” section in the left-side Presets panel of the Develop module.

• Simply click a preset name to apply it to your photo instantly.

Pro Tip : Organize your presets by creating folders directly in the Presets panel ideal for keeping themed or project specific styles in one place.

Method 2: Use the Built-In Import Feature

• Visit a trusted source like lighthroom.com and download .XMP preset files.

• Launch Lightroom Classic and go to the Develop Module (top right of the interface).

• On the left sidebar, expand the Presets panel. If it’s minimized, click the small triangle to reveal it.

• Right-click anywhere inside the Presets panel and choose “Import” from the context menu.

• Locate the downloaded .XMP files on your device and confirm your selection.

• Your new presets will now be added to the User Presets section or any folder you assign them to.

• Click a preset to apply its styling and instantly see the effect on your photo.

Pro Tip: To keep your workspace clean, create a new folder by right-clicking in the panel, then drag and drop related presets into that folder.

Method 3: Install Presets via Preferences Settings

1. Open Lightroom Classic and click on the Edit menu (Windows) or Lightroom Classic menu (macOS).
2. Select Preferences from the dropdown options.
3. In the Preferences window, click the “Presets” tab.
4. Look for and click the button labeled “Show Lightroom Develop Presets” — this will open the system folder where presets are stored.
5. Manually copy your .XMP preset files into this folder.
6. Restart Lightroom Classic. Once relaunched, the app will automatically recognize and load your new presets into the Presets panel.

Pro Tip: This method is particularly useful for batch imports or syncing your presets across multiple devices with shared storage.

How to Install & Use Presets in Adobe Lightroom Mobile (Android & iOS) – 2024

Want to take your mobile photo editing to the next level? Adobe Lightroom Mobile allows you to use presets that instantly transform your images with one tap. Whether you’re using Android or iOS, there are three simple methods to import presets and start editing like a pro and enjoy with editing.

Let’s break down all the working methods to install Lightroom Mobile presets:

Method 1: Sync Presets from Lightroom Classic (LrC)

If you’re already using Lightroom Classic on Desktop, you can easily sync your presets to Lightroom Mobile using Adobe Creative Cloud.

Steps:

1. Install Adobe Lightroom Classic on your desktop.
2. Import your .XMP presets into Lightroom Classic (refer to our desktop guide).
3. Sign in with the same Adobe account on both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Mobile.
4. Enable sync in the top-left corner of Lightroom Classic.
5. Lightroom will automatically sync all your presets, photos, and profiles with the mobile app.
6. Open the Lightroom app on your phone, and your synced presets will now be available under the “Presets” section.

Pro Tip: This method keeps your desktop and mobile editing environment perfectly in sync, ideal for professionals working across devices.

Method 2: Directly Import Presets in Lightroom Mobile

This method lets you import .XMP preset files directly into the Lightroom Mobile app without needing a PC.

Steps:

1. Download the Lightroom app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
2. Open the app and tap “Add Photo” to start a new editing project.
3. Select any image from your gallery to edit.
4. At the bottom of the screen, tap on “Presets.”
5. Tap the three-dot menu (top-right corner) and select “Import Presets.”
6. A file browser will appear—navigate to the folder where your downloaded .XMP presets are stored.
7. Choose your desired presets and tap Import.
8. Once imported, you’ll see your presets listed under “User Presets” or a custom folder name.
9. Tap a preset to apply it instantly to your image.
10. You can also save or share the preset with others via the Lightroom community.

Note: For more options and features, you can unlock everything using the Lightroom MOD APK .

Method 3: Import Presets Using DNG Files

If your presets are in .DNG format, this method is the best and doesn’t require Creative Cloud.

Steps:

1. Download the DNG preset files to your phone.
2. Launch the Lightroom Mobile app.
3. Tap the “+” or “Add Photo” icon and select “From Files.”
4. Locate and select the downloaded DNG files and import them into Lightroom.
5. Open one of the DNG files—it will appear like a blank image or edited sample photo.
6. Tap the three dot icon in the top-right corner and select “Create Preset.”
7. Name your preset and choose which settings to include (recommended: All except Crop and Geometry).
8. Save the preset, and it will now be available under your Presets tab.
9. Apply it to any future photo with just one tap!

Tip: DNG presets are a great option if you’re getting presets from creators who don’t provide .XMP files.

Pro Tips for Organizing Presets in Adobe Lightroom Boost Your Workflow in 2025

You feel very happy with After importing your favorite presets into Adobe Lightroom, keeping them organized can save you a lot of time and frustration—especially if you work on different types of photos or use multiple devices. Whether you’re editing portraits, landscapes, or creative projects, a clean and well-organized preset library makes the editing process faster and more enjoyable.

Here are some smart, advanced tips to help you keep your Lightroom presets neat, easy to access, and ready for any editing task:

Create Custom Folders Based on Your Editing Style

Instead of dumping all your presets into one place, divide them into custom folders that reflect your editing needs. You can group them by:

• Photography type – Portrait, Travel, Food, Wedding, Nature
• Editing style – Cinematic, Bright & Airy, Moody Tones, Retro Look

By organizing them this way, you’ll always know where to find the perfect preset for your next edit.

How to do it:
In Lightroom (Classic or Mobile), go to the Presets panel, right-click, and select “New Folder.” Name it according to your category and drag presets into that folder.

Rename Your Presets with Clear, Descriptive Titles

Avoid confusing names like Preset 01 or Filters Pack ABC. Rename your presets using descriptive and meaningful names like:

• “Golden Hour Glow”
• “Urban Night Vibes”
• “Clean Skin Portrait”

Doing this helps you instantly recognize what the preset does no need to click each one to preview.

Use the Favorite Feature in Lightroom Mobile

If you edit frequently on your phone or tablet, Lightroom Mobile lets you mark presets as favorites with a star icon. This way, your go-to presets are always just one tap away.

Pro Tip:
You can create a “Favorites” folder too for even faster access, especially helpful when editing in a hurry.

Back Up Your Presets to Stay Safe

Don’t risk losing your custom or purchased presets due to a software update, phone reset, or system crash. Make it a habit to backup your presets regularly.

Best backup options:

• Google Drive or Dropbox
• An external hard drive
• Adobe Creative Cloud (for syncing)

It only takes a few minutes but can save hours of frustration.

Sync Presets Across All Your Devices

If you’re using both Lightroom Classic on desktop and Lightroom Mobile, make the most of Adobe’s cloud sync feature. When you sync your presets with Adobe Creative Cloud:

• They become available on all devices
• You get a consistent editing experience
• You can start editing on desktop and finish on mobile

Just make sure you’re logged into the same Adobe ID and have syncing enabled.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve gone through this guide, importing presets in Adobe Lightroom should feel simple and stress free. Whether you’re using Lightroom Classic on your computer or Lightroom Mobile on Android or iOS, you can easily follow the steps and start using presets to improve your photos in just a few taps or clicks.

Don’t forget — you can also create your own custom presets by applying your favorite filters and saving them for future edits. This not only speeds up your workflow but also keeps your photo style consistent.

With the right presets and a bit of practice, you’ll be editing like a pro in no time and you will be really enjoy with this.

(FAQs)

Can I import presets into Lightroom CC?

Yes, absolutely! Lightroom CC allows you to import presets in multiple ways. You can do it directly through the app, sync from Lightroom Classic via Creative Cloud, or import DNG preset files all of which are explained in this guide above.

What’s the difference between Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC?

Lightroom Classic is a desktop based tool designed mainly for professional photographers who need advanced editing and file management. Lightroom CC, on the other hand, is a cloud-based version that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced users, offering an easier and more modern editing experience across all devices.

How does the photo import process differ between Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC?

The way you import photos varies between both versions:

• Lightroom Classic: Offers a more detailed import window where you can select folders, apply presets, rename files, and add meta data before importing.
• Lightroom CC: Provides a cleaner and quicker import experience. It’s fully cloud-integrated, so your photos are easily accessible on any device after import.

Are Lightroom presets free to use?

Many presets are available for free, and they work well for beginners. However, if you’re looking for professional-grade or exclusive presets, those typically come as part of a premium pack or require an Adobe subscription.

Can I customize or edit presets in Lightroom?

Yes! One of the best features of Lightroom is that you can fully customize any preset to match your style. You can adjust settings like exposure, color tone, contrast, and then save your adjustments as a new custom preset you will be very happy with this amazing results.