How to Install Presets in Lightroom in 2025

Written by: Alexa Starr

Last updated: 12/15/24

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

You can easily download and install Lightroom presets by downloading a zip file and importing it into Lightroom.

If you encounter any issues with Lightroom, such as it not responding or freezing, a quick solution is to restart Lightroom.

The Lightroom mobile app is a great way to access your presets on the go and edit your photos from anywhere.

They save you time by instantly editing your photos with just one click.

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the installation process of dng presets in Lightroom, allowing you to enhance your images with ease using lrtemplate files.

If you're looking to work with raw files, dng files are a great option as they retain more information and flexibility compared to other file formats.

How to Install Presets in Photoshop

Steps to Install Presets in Photoshop:

1. Download the preset files (usually .xmp format)

2. For Recent Photoshop Versions (2020 and newer):
- Open Photoshop
- Click Edit > Presets > Import Presets
- Navigate to your downloaded presets
- Select and click Import

3. For Older Photoshop Versions:
- Locate your Photoshop presets folder:
• Windows: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [Version]\Presets
• Mac: /Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [Version]/Presets
- Copy the preset files
- Paste them into the appropriate subfolder (Brushes, Actions, etc.)
- Restart Photoshop

4. To Verify Installation:
- Open the relevant panel (Brushes, Actions, etc.)
- Look for your newly added presets
- If not visible, click the panel menu and select Reset Presets

Troubleshooting:
- Ensure preset file format is compatible
- Check if files are unzipped
- Verify you're placing files in correct subfolder
- Restart Photoshop after manual installation

Where to Find & Download Lightroom App Presets (XMP/DNG)

There are several websites and online marketplaces where you can find and download Lightroom presets for desktops.

We might be biased, but we think the best place to find presets, including lrtemplate preset files, on the desktop version, is Flourish Presets because it's been trusted by 100k+ happy customers from everyday content creators to professional influencers, and even industry professionals.

Flourish Presets offers a wide range of presets for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and iOS, making it the go-to destination for all your preset needs.

How to Locate The Preset Folder

1. Open Adobe Lightroom on your computer.

2. Go to the Develop module.

3. Look for the "Presets" panel on the left-hand side of the screen.

4. Click on the "+" icon next to "Presets" to expand the panel.

5. Right-click anywhere within the expanded panel and select "Show in Finder" (Mac) or "Show in Explorer" (Windows) to locate the Lightroom desktop application.

6. This will open a new window showing the location of your develop presets folder, including the Lightroom folder, in your file system for show Lightroom.

Installing Presets On a Mac Computer (iOS/iPhone)

1. Download the preset files from your desired source.

2. Open Adobe Lightroom on your Mac.

3. In Lightroom, go to the Develop module.

4. Click on the "+" icon next to "Presets" in the left-hand panel.

5. Select "Import Presets" from the dropdown menu.

6. Locate and select the downloaded preset files on your computer.

7. Click "Import" to add the presets to Lightroom.

Installing Presets on a Windows Desktop (Android/PC)

1. Download the preset files from your desired source.

2. Open Adobe Lightroom on your Windows computer.

3. In Lightroom, go to the Develop module.

4. Click on the "+" icon next to "Presets" in the left-hand panel.

5. Select "Import Presets" from the dropdown menu.

6. Locate and select the downloaded preset files on your computer.

7. Click "Import" to add the presets to Lightroom.

Importing And Organizing Presets Within Lightroom

1. Open Adobe Lightroom on your computer.

2. Go to the Develop module.

3. Expand the "Presets" panel on the left-hand side.

4. Click on the "+" icon next to "Presets."

5. Select "Import Presets" from the dropdown menu.

6. Locate and select the preset files you want to import.

7. Click "Import" to add them to Lightroom.

8. To organize your presets, create a new group within the "Presets" panel by right-clicking and selecting "New Folder." This can be especially helpful if you have a large collection of presets, including those in the popular XMP file format.

9. Name the folder and drag and drop presets into it for better organization.

10. You can also right-click on a preset to rename or delete it.

That's it! You now know how to install and organize presets in Lightroom on both Mac and Windows computers.

Tips For Managing And Organizing Your Preset Library

1. Use descriptive names for your presets to easily identify their effects.

2. Create folders and subfolders to categorize your presets based on style, subject matter, or any other criteria that make sense to you.

You can easily access and organize your presets by using the presets tab.

3. Regularly review and clean up your preset library by deleting unused or duplicate presets.

4. Consider creating a "Favorites" folder for presets you frequently use or find particularly useful in Lightroom Classic. If you're new to Lightroom, you can also learn how to open Lightroom CC to explore its features and capabilities. Remember to add the keyword ONLY ONCE.

If you're excited about a new album and want to showcase your photography skills on your mobile device, having a go-to folder of presets can save you time and help you achieve the look you want.

To open Lightroom Classic and access your presets, simply click on the Lightroom Classic icon on your desktop or in your applications folder.

5. Experiment with creating your own presets by adjusting the settings in Lightroom and saving them as new presets with new images.

6. Back up your preset library regularly to avoid losing them due to computer crashes or software updates, especially if you are using an Android device.

Applying Presets To Your Photos in Lightroom

1. Open the photo you want to apply a preset to in Lightroom.

2. Go to the Develop module.

3. In the "Presets" panel, locate the preset you want to apply.

4. Click on the preset name or thumbnail to apply it to your photo.

5. Adjust any additional settings if needed.

6. Enjoy the transformed look of your photo with just a click!

7. Repeat the process for other photos and presets as desired.

Remember, the presets section is a powerful tool for enhancing and stylizing your photos in Lightroom!

If you're new to using presets, check out our tutorial on how to install and use them to take your photo editing to the next level.

Adjusting / Fine-Tuning Presets To Suit Your Style

Here are the steps to customize and save presets in Lightroom:

1. Apply a preset to your photo.

2. Fine-tune the effects using adjustment sliders and tools in the Develop module.

3. Experiment with settings like exposure, contrast, saturation, and white balance.

4. Make adjustments until you achieve the desired result.

5. Remember that presets are a starting point; customize them to reflect your unique style as a photographer.

6. Save your customized settings as a new preset for future use.

7. In the Develop module, go to the "Presets" panel.

8. Right-click on the preset you want to save and select "Create Preset."

9. Name your new preset and choose the settings to include.

10. Click "Create" to save your customized preset.

11. Now you can easily apply your unique style to other photos with just one click!

FAQs

How do I install presets in Lightroom?

To install presets in Lightroom, first, open the program and navigate to the Develop module. Then, find the Presets panel on the left side of the screen and click the "+" icon. Choose "Import Presets" and locate the preset files on your computer.

How do I upload presets into Lightroom?

Steps to upload presets into Lightroom:

Desktop Version:

1. Open Lightroom
2. Go to the 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 the desired presets
7. Click "Import"

Mobile Version:

1. Open Lightroom mobile
2. Tap the "Presets" icon
3. Tap the three-dot menu
4. Select "Import Presets"
5. Navigate to your preset files
6. Select the presets
7. Tap "Import"

Alternative Method (Desktop):

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

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

3. Restart Lightroom

How do I add presets to Lightroom on my iPhone?

Steps to add presets to Lightroom mobile on iPhone:

1. Open Lightroom mobile app
2. Tap the three dots menu in the top right corner
3. Select "Add Presets"
4. Choose one of these methods:

• Download presets from Adobe Creative Cloud
• Import presets from files
• Create your own preset from an edited photo

To create your own preset:

1. Edit a photo how you like
2. Tap the three dots menu
3. Select "Create Preset"
4. Name your preset
5. Choose which settings to include
6. Tap "Check" to save

To import external presets:

1. Download the preset files to your iPhone
2. Open Lightroom
3. Tap the three dots menu
4. Select "Import Presets"
5. Locate and select the preset files
6. Tap "Import"

Your new presets will appear in the Presets panel when editing photos.

How do I use my own presets in Lightroom?

To use your own presets in Lightroom:

1. Import existing presets:

• Go to File > Import Develop Profiles & Presets
• Navigate to your preset files (.xmp format)
• Select and click Import

2. Create new presets:

• Edit a photo with your desired adjustments
• Click the + icon in the Presets panel
• Choose "Create Preset"
• Name your preset and select which settings to include
• Click Create

3. Access your presets:

• Open the Presets panel on the left sidebar
• Find your presets under "User Presets" or your custom folder
• Click on a preset to apply it to your selected photo

4. Organize presets:

• Right-click in the Presets panel
• Select "New Folder" to create custom groups
• Drag and drop presets between folders
• Right-click on presets to rename or delete them

5. Share presets:

• Right-click on a preset
• Choose "Export"
• Save the preset file (.xmp format)
• Share with others or use on different computers

Why won't Lightroom let me import presets?

Common reasons why Lightroom won't import presets:

1. Wrong file format - Presets must be .xmp or .lrtemplate files
2. Incorrect Lightroom version compatibility - Older preset versions may not work with newer Lightroom versions
3. Trying to import to the wrong location - Presets must go in the designated presets folder
4. Corrupted preset files
5. Insufficient permissions on your computer
6. Software bug or glitch - Try restarting Lightroom
7. Preset files are compressed/zipped and need extraction first
8. Wrong import method - Using "Import" instead of "Install" for certain preset packages

Solutions:

• Check file format compatibility
• Update presets to current version
• Verify correct import location
• Extract zipped files before importing
• Run Lightroom as administrator
• Clear Lightroom cache
• Reinstall Lightroom if issues persist

What are Lightroom presets?

Lightroom presets are saved adjustment settings that can be applied to photos with a single click, allowing users to maintain consistent editing styles across multiple images.

How do I install Lightroom presets in Lightroom CC?

Navigate to File > Import Profiles & Presets, locate the preset files on your computer, select them, and click Import. Alternatively, drag and drop preset files into the Presets panel.

What's the difference between .xmp and .lrtemplate preset files?

.xmp files are newer format presets compatible with both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC, while .lrtemplate files are older format presets that work only with Lightroom Classic.

Where are Lightroom CC presets stored on my computer?

Lightroom CC presets are stored in the cloud and synchronized across devices through Creative Cloud. Local copies are stored in:

• Windows: /Users/[username]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Lightroom CC/Settings
• Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom CC/Settings

Q: Can I create my own presets in Lightroom Presets CC? A: Yes. Edit a photo to your desired look, click the Presets panel, click the + icon, select Create Preset, name it, choose which settings to include, and click Create.

How do I sync presets across devices in Lightroom Presets CC?

Presets automatically sync across devices when signed into the same Adobe Creative Cloud account. Ensure sync is enabled in Lightroom CC preferences.

Can I import presets from Lightroom Classic to Lightroom Presets CC?

Yes. Export the presets from Lightroom Classic as .xmp files, then import them into Lightroom CC using File > Import Profiles & Presets.

What's the difference between user presets and default presets?

User presets are created or imported by users, while default presets come pre-installed with Lightroom Presets CC and are created by Adobe.

• Can I organize presets into groups?

Yes. Create preset groups by clicking the + icon in the Presets panel and selecting Create Preset Group. Drag and drop presets into the group.

How do I backup my Lightroom CC presets?

Presets are automatically backed up to Creative Cloud. For local backup, export presets as .xmp files through File > Export Profiles & Presets.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing presets in Lightroom is a simple process.

By following the steps provided, you can easily save your customized settings as new presets and apply them to other photos with just a click.

Experiment with different adjustments and create your own unique style.

Presets make editing faster and more efficient, allowing you to achieve stunning results in no time.

So start exploring the world of presets in Lightroom and unleash your creativity!