How To Install Lightroom Presets in 2025

Written by: Alexa Starr

Last updated: 11/30/24

 

If you're eager to enhance your photography quickly and effortlessly, installing Lightroom presets, which can be downloaded as a zip file containing lrtemplate files, is the way to go.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the simple steps of the installation process to install these powerful editing tools, transforming your images with just a double click.

You can also download all the necessary files in a single zip file for easy installation.

Why Use Lightroom Presets (XMP/DNG - Mac/PC/iPhone/iOS/Android)

Lightroom presets are pre-defined settings that can be applied to your photos in Adobe Lightroom.

Whether you're using the desktop version of Lightroom or the mobile version, presets can save you time and help you achieve a consistent look across your photos.

If you're new to Lightroom, a tutorial on how to use presets and the file format can be helpful in getting started with this powerful photo editing tool.

They allow you to quickly enhance and edit your images with just a few clicks, saving you time and effort in post-processing.

Here are some benefits of using Lightroom presets for content creators:

1. Time-saving:

Presets help you achieve consistent and professional-looking edits without spending hours on individual images.

With the use of editing software like Adobe Lightroom, you can easily apply presets to your photos and achieve a polished look in no time.

If you encounter any issues with Lightroom, such as it freezing or crashing, a quick solution is to restart Lightroom to resolve the problem.

Mac users can take advantage of the built-in Photos app to apply presets and enhance their images effortlessly.

To open Lightroom CC, simply click on the Lightroom icon in your applications folder.

2. Consistency:

Using presets ensures that your editing style remains consistent across all your photos, giving your portfolio a cohesive look.

You can easily access your favorite presets, including those in the xmp file format, by clicking on the presets tab.

3. Easy customization:

Presets, including new presets, serve as a great starting point for your creative vision, but can also be easily customized to suit your specific needs and preferences with the use of xmp.

If you're looking to create a new album of photos with a specific aesthetic, customizing presets can help you achieve your desired look.

4. Experimentation:

With a wide range of Lightroom presets available, you can effortlessly explore different editing styles and effects, expanding your creative possibilities.

Free Download vs Premium Lightroom App Presets

When downloading Lightroom presets, it's important to choose reputable sources.

Look for trusted websites and reputable creators to ensure the quality and safety of the presets you download.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a popular tool for editing and organizing photos, and many creators offer presets specifically designed for use with this software, including the lightroom desktop application.

Locating Preset Files For Computer or Mobile Devices

To locate the preset files on your computer or mobile device, navigate to the location where you downloaded or saved them on your iPhone.

If you're using a desktop computer, you can also open Lightroom Classic and import the presets directly into the program.

They are usually in a folder with the preset name or labeled as presets.

Installing Presets in Adobe Lightroom Classic CC (Desktop)

For Lightroom mobile, the process is slightly different but still straightforward with the Lightroom mobile app.

1. Open Adobe Lightroom Classic CC on your desktop.

2. Go to the Develop module.

3. On the left side of the screen, find the Presets panel.

4. Expand the panel by clicking on the small triangle icon next to its name.

5. Below the Navigator and Histogram panels, locate the "User Presets" folder within the Presets panel.

If you want to organize your presets, you can create a develop presets folder within the "User Presets" folder to set the required path for your lightroom folder.

6. Right-click on the "User Presets" folder and select "Import Profiles" from the import dialog that appears. Alternatively, click on the "+" icon next to the "User Presets" folder and choose "Import Presets".

7. In the file browser window that opens, navigate to the location where you saved the preset files and extract them into a new folder called "new folder" with new images.

8. Select all the preset files you want to install and click "Import".

9. Lightroom will now import the presets into the "User Presets" folder.

10. You can now apply them to your photos by simply clicking on the preset name within the Presets panel.

Step-by-Step: How To Install Presets in Lightroom CC (Mobile)

1. Open the Lightroom CC app on your mobile device.

2. Import the preset files into the app by selecting the "+" icon at the bottom of the screen and choosing "Add Photos".

3. Navigate to the location where you saved the preset files and select them.

4. The presets will now be added to your Lightroom CC library.

5. To apply a preset to a photo, open the photo in Lightroom CC and go to the Edit panel.

6. Scroll down until you find the Presets section.

7. Tap on the Presets section to expand it.

8. You will now see your imported presets listed there.

9. Tap on a preset to apply it to your photo.

10. Adjust any other settings as desired and save the edited photo.

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Installation

1. If you can't find the "Presets" folder in Lightroom, make sure you are in the Develop module.

2. Double-check that the preset files have the correct file extension (.lrtemplate for Lightroom Classic and .dng for Lightroom CC mobile).

3. If you're unable to import presets in Lightroom CC mobile, try updating the app to the latest version.

4. Make sure you have sufficient storage space on your device to accommodate the preset files.

5. If a preset doesn't appear in Lightroom after importing, restart the application and check again.

Organizing and Managing Your Presets

1. Create folders within the Presets section to group similar presets together.

2. To create a folder, tap on the three-dot menu icon next to "Presets" and select "Create Folder".

3. Name the folder and drag and drop presets into it for easy access.

4. You can also rename presets by tapping on the three-dot menu icon next to a preset and selecting "Rename".

5. Use the star icon next to a preset to mark it as a favorite for quicker access.

6. To delete a preset, tap on the three-dot menu icon next to it and select "Delete".

7. Keep your presets organized by regularly reviewing and removing any unused or outdated ones.

8. Back up your presets periodically to avoid losing them in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

FAQs

How do I install presets in Lightroom?

To install presets in Lightroom, first, open Lightroom and go to the Develop module. Then, find the Presets panel on the left-hand side of the screen. Right-click on it and choose "Import." Locate the preset file on your computer and click "Import."

How can I download Lightroom presets?

1. Official Adobe Sources:

• Visit Adobe's website
• Go to Adobe Creative Cloud
• Navigate to the Lightroom Presets section
• Download from available preset packs

2. Third-party Websites:

• Preset marketplaces like Creative Market, ETSY
• Photography websites like Flourish Presets,VSCO, RNI Films
• Free preset websites like PresetLove, Preset Cloud

3. Direct from Photographers:

• Professional photographers' personal websites
• Photography blogs
• Online photography courses

4. After downloading:

• Unzip the preset files
• Place files in Lightroom's preset folder
• Restart Lightroom
• Import presets through Lightroom's Develop module

Installation folder locations: Windows: C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Develop Presets Mac: Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Develop Presets

How do I import XMP files into Lightroom?

XMP files can be imported into Lightroom through these methods:

1. Automatic import:

• Place XMP sidecar files in the same folder as their corresponding images
• Ensure the filenames match (e.g., photo.jpg and photo.xmp)
• Lightroom will automatically detect and apply the XMP data

2. Manual import:

• Select the photo(s) in Lightroom
• Go to Metadata > Read Metadata from File
• Navigate to the XMP file location
• Select the XMP file and click Import

3. Enable auto-import settings:

• Go to Lightroom > Preferences (Mac) or Edit > Preferences (Windows)
• Select the Metadata tab
• Check "Automatically write changes into XMP"
• Enable "Read metadata from companion XMP files"

If XMP files don't import:

• Verify file naming matches exactly
• Check file permissions
• Ensure XMP files are in the correct format
• Try moving XMP files to the same directory as images

How to transfer Lightroom presets to a new computer?

Step-by-step process to transfer Lightroom presets to a new computer:

1. Locate preset files on the original computer:

• Windows: C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Develop Presets
• Mac: /Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Develop Presets

2. Copy the preset files:

• Select all preset folders and files
• Copy them to an external drive or cloud storage

3. On the new computer:

• Navigate to the same Lightroom preset folder location
• Paste the copied preset files

Alternative method (within Lightroom):

1. Original computer:

• Open Lightroom
• Right-click on preset(s)
• Select "Export"
• Save the .lrtemplate files

2. New computer:

• Open Lightroom
• Right-click in Presets panel
• Select "Import"
• Navigate to saved .lrtemplate files
• Select and import

3. Restart Lightroom on the new computer to ensure presets are properly loaded.

How do I add presets and brushes to Lightroom?

To add presets to Lightroom:

Desktop Version:

1. Open Lightroom
2. Go to Develop module
3. Click the + icon in the Presets panel
4. Select "Import Presets"
5. Navigate to your preset files (.xmp or .lrtemplate)
6. Select and click "Import"

Mobile Version:

1. Open Lightroom mobile
2. Tap the Presets icon
3. Tap the three-dot menu
4. Select "Import Presets"
5. Choose the preset files from your device

To add brushes to Lightroom:

1. Open Lightroom
2. Go to Develop module
3. Select the Adjustment Brush tool
4. Click the brush preset dropdown menu
5. Click the gear icon
6. Choose "Import"
7. Navigate to your brush files (.lrtemplate)
8. Select and click "Import"

Alternative method:

1. Manually copy preset/brush files
2. Paste into Lightroom's preset folder location:

• Windows: C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Develop Presets
• Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Develop Presets

Write questions and answers containing the following keywords related to installing Lightroom presets: Lightroom CC, preset packs, Creative Cloud, Import Profiles, dropdown menu, Adobe Creative Cloud, Import dialog

How do I install preset packs in Lightroom CC?

Open Lightroom CC, click the Presets panel, select the three-dot menu (•••), choose "Import Presets," locate your preset pack files, and click "Import."

Where is the Import Profiles & Presets option in Creative Cloud (Hint: File > Import Profiles & Presets)?

Access the Import Profiles & Presets option through the dropdown menu under File > Import Profiles & Presets in Lightroom CC.

Can I install multiple presets at once using the Import dialog?

Yes, select multiple preset files by holding Shift or Ctrl/Cmd while clicking in the Import dialog window, then click "Import" to install them simultaneously.

How do I sync my installed presets across devices using Adobe Creative Cloud?

Enable sync in Lightroom CC preferences, ensure you're signed into your Adobe Creative Cloud account, and your presets will automatically sync across all devices.

Why aren't my imported presets showing up in the dropdown menu?

Verify that the presets are compatible with your Lightroom CC version, check if they're in the correct folder format (.xmp), and ensure they were successfully imported through the Import dialog.

Where can I find my installed preset packs in Lightroom CC?

Click the Presets panel icon in the right sidebar, then look under "User Presets" or "Premium Presets" in the dropdown menu.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed how to install Lightroom presets.

We started by recommending updating the app to the latest version and ensuring sufficient storage space.

We also shared tips on organizing and managing presets, such as creating folders, renaming presets, marking favorites, and deleting unused ones.

Additionally, we emphasized the importance of backing up presets regularly.

Finally, we provided a brief explanation of how to install presets in Lightroom.