How to Install Lightroom Presets on Desktop and Mobile

Lightroom presets let you apply a complete edit to a photo in one click. This guide shows you how to install .xmp presets in Lightroom Classic, Lightroom (desktop) and Lightroom mobile, how to apply them, and how to get the best results.

What’s in a LUT Land preset pack?

Each pack contains Lightroom presets as .xmp files. They work with RAW and JPEG photos, in Lightroom Classic, Lightroom desktop and Lightroom mobile. If your download is a .zip, you can import the zip directly in Lightroom Classic and Lightroom desktop – no need to unzip it.

Lightroom Classic (Mac and Windows)

1. Open Lightroom Classic and go to the Develop module.
2. In the Presets panel on the left, click the + icon.
3. Choose Import Presets….
4. Select the .zip file or the .xmp files and click Import.
5. Your presets appear in the Presets panel, in their own group.

Lightroom desktop (the cloud version)

1. Open Lightroom and go to File > Import Profiles & Presets….
2. Select the .zip or .xmp files and click Import.
3. Open a photo, click Edit, then the Presets button at the bottom of the edit panel to find them.

Presets imported into Lightroom desktop sync automatically to Lightroom mobile when you are signed in with the same Adobe account.

Lightroom mobile (iPhone, iPad and Android)

Easiest way: install the presets in Lightroom desktop (above) and they sync to your phone.

Phone only:

1. Save the .xmp files to your phone (unzip the download in the Files app on iPhone, or a file manager on Android).
2. Open Lightroom mobile and open any photo.
3. Tap Presets, then the three dots (…) menu, and choose Import Presets.
4. Select the .xmp files.

Menus can move slightly between app versions – if you don’t see Import Presets, update the Lightroom app.

How to apply a preset

1. Open your photo in the Develop / Edit view.
2. Hover over (or tap) presets to preview them.
3. Click a preset to apply it.
4. Use the Amount slider (Lightroom desktop, mobile and recent Lightroom Classic) to make it stronger or softer.

Getting the best results

• Shoot RAW if you can. Presets have more room to work with RAW files.
• Adjust exposure and white balance after applying. Every photo is different – a quick tweak to these two settings makes any preset fit.
• Edit one, sync the rest. Edit one photo from a set, then copy the settings to the others (Lightroom Classic: Sync; Lightroom: Copy / Paste Edit Settings).
• Pick the right pack for the job. Bright, soft presets suit weddings and portraits; punchy, clean presets suit food and property.

Frequently asked questions

Do presets work on JPEGs?

Yes, though RAW files give smoother, more flexible results.

Do I need a paid Lightroom plan?

Lightroom Classic and Lightroom desktop need an Adobe subscription. Lightroom mobile can import and apply presets on the free plan, though some editing tools need a subscription.

What’s the difference between presets and LUTs?

Presets are for photos in Lightroom; LUTs are for video. Read What is a LUT? to learn more.

Find your look

LUT Land makes Lightroom presets for weddings & portraits, food & product, travel & landscape, interiors & property, street & cars and moody & cinematic photos – or get every style with the All 6 Preset Packs bundle.