7 Easy Ways to Add Presets to Different Lightroom Versions

If you are a photographer or editor who just discovered the power of presets, we are sure you are amazed. Lightroom by Adobe changed the way people edit and improve their images – it went from easy to professional in moments.

However, if you’re wondering how to set up your presets in Adobe Lightroom, these easy ways to add presets will help you. We will go over seven of the easiest ways to upload your presets to Lightroom, no matter the program you use.

Easy Ways to Add Presets to Lightroom

You must have downloaded your presets from either a third-party source like Presets Factory or from online stores. Maybe a friend shared them with you online or perhaps you created them yourself.

In any case, it helps to have your presets ready in Lightroom whenever you wish to use them or share them with your friends. One other case to add presets would be if you are using Lightroom both on your mobile device and desktop.

If so, then it is a good idea to know how to add presets in Lightroom so you can update your collection across devices. With them in sync, you can access any preset for any image when the time comes.

Without further ado, here are some ways to add presets for any Lightroom version, device, or method of download.

Method 1: Adding Presets in Lightroom Classic

If you are using Adobe Lightroom Classic, this is a simple way to add presets to your collection. Bear in mind that this method works for Versions 7.3 and above for both Mac and Windows computers.

Step 1: Download and Unzip

• Download your purchased Lightroom Presets, typically provided in a .zip file. Ensure the presets are in the .xmp file format.
• Unzip the downloaded file to access the preset files.
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Step 2: Launch Lightroom and Navigate to Develop Module

• Open Lightroom and navigate to the Develop Module.
• Click on File -> Import and Develop Profiles and Presets in the head menu.
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Step 3: Choose the Preset File

• Navigate to the Presets folder and select the .zip file containing the presets. Alternatively, choose already unzipped .xmp files.
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Step 4: Access Presets

• The presets are now ready to use and can be found in the Presets section on the left.

Method 2: Adding Presets in Lightroom 4, 5, 6, and Classic (Version 7.2 or Older) on Mac or Windows

If you are using a different version of Lightroom, then this method would suit your needs. Again, this applies to both Mac and Windows OS:

Step 1: Download and Unzip

• Download your Lightroom Presets, usually provided in a .zip file for versions 4-6 and Classic CC.
• Unzip the downloaded file to access the preset files.
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Step 2: Access Lightroom Preferences

• Launch Lightroom and click on Edit -> Preferences (Windows) or Lightroom -> Preferences (Mac).
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Step 3: Navigate to Presets Tab

• Click on the Presets tab in the opened Preferences window.
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Step 4: Open Develop Presets Folder

• Click on the button named “Show Lightroom Presets Folder” (older versions) or “Show All Other Lightroom Presets” (newer versions).
• Navigate to the Develop Presets folder.
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Step 5: Copy Preset Files

• Copy the downloaded and unzipped .lrtemplate files into the Develop Presets folder.
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Step 6: Restart Lightroom

• Restart Lightroom to find the presets available in the Presets section.

Method 3: Adding Presets in Lightroom CC

If you use Lightroom CC on Mac or Windows, then use this technique. It is hard for some users to add presets to their Lightroom CC version as the interface is different. Don’t worry; just follow these steps to finish the process:

Step 1: Download and Unzip

• Download your purchased Lightroom Presets in a .zip file.
• Unzip the downloaded file to access the preset files.

Step 2: Launch Lightroom CC and Select an Image

• Start Lightroom CC and select an image to work on.

Step 3: Import Presets

• Click on File -> Import Profiles and Presets in the head menu.
• Navigate to the Presets folder and select the .zip file or already unzipped .xmp files.

Step 4: Access Presets

• The presets are now ready to use. Open the Presets Panel on the right side and click on a preset to apply it.

Method 4: Adding Presets in Lightroom Mobile (With Creative Cloud Subscription)

Now we can enter the world of Lightroom Mobile. It is convenient to use your software on your mobile device as you can edit images on the go. It also helps to keep your mobile and desktop versions in sync to ensure your edits are consistent and the presets are easily accessible.

If you have a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Presets in Lightroom Desktop

• Install all presets in the Lightroom desktop application using Method 1 above.

Step 2: Sync to Mobile

• As a Creative Cloud subscriber, the presets will automatically sync to your mobile device via the cloud.

Step 3: Access Presets on Mobile

• Open Lightroom Mobile, and the presets will be available for use.

Method 5: Adding Presets in Lightroom Mobile (Without Creative Cloud Subscription)

If you haven’t subscribed to Creative Cloud, is it possible to add presets? Yes, you can still get the job done if you know how to add presets in Lightroom. Read on to learn the subtle changes to get this process done:

Step 1: Transfer Presets to Mobile Device

• Download the presets onto your desktop and transfer the ZIP file labeled “mobile-presets_android” to your Android device.

Step 2: Open Lightroom App

• Start the Lightroom app on your Android device and select an image from your library.

Step 3: Import Presets

• Press the three dots icon and select Import Presets.
• Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the ZIP file.
• Import the presets.

Step 4: Access Presets

• The presets are now imported and ready to use.
• You can find them in a new group in the Presets tab.

Method 6: Adding Presets in Lightroom Mobile on iPhone/iOS Devices

If you use Lightroom Mobile on your iOS device, here’s a simple way to add the presets:

Step 1: Extract and Transfer DNG Files

• Extract the “mobile-presets_iphone” ZIP file.
• Transfer all .dng files to your iOS device, preferably using AirDrop.

Step 2: Open Lightroom App

• Start the Lightroom app on your iPhone.
• Locate and press the “+” icon to create a new folder named “Presets.”

Step 3: Create New Album

• Within the “Presets” folder, press “Create New Album”.
• It is a good idea to name it after the downloaded Preset pack.

Step 4: Import DNG Files

• Press the “Add” icon to import new images.
• Navigate to the folder with the .dng files, and import them.

Step 5: Create Presets

• Open the first image, and press “Create Preset” after clicking the three dots.
• Now you just have to name and save it to the Presets group.
• Repeat this process for every .dng file until all presets are listed in the Presets panel.

Method 7: Adding Presets Using Lightroom Mobile Directly (For DNG Files)

This final method is for .dng files. You would be amazed by how simple and lasting the process is if you have files in this format. Here is a quick rundown of the steps:

Step 1: Download and Extract DNG Files

• Download the Lightroom Presets, often provided as DNG files for mobile use.
• Extract the files from the downloaded ZIP folder.

Step 2: Open Lightroom Mobile App

• Launch the Lightroom Mobile app on your iOS or Android device.

Step 3: Select an Image

• Choose an image from your photo library that you want to apply the presets to.

Step 4: Access the Presets Tab

• Scroll down to the toolbar at the bottom and press the “Presets” tab on the right.

Step 5: Import Presets

• Look for the three dots icon and select “Import Presets.”
• Navigate to the folder where you extracted the DNG files.

Step 6: Select and Open DNG Files

• Choose the DNG files you want to import and open them in the Lightroom Mobile app.

Step 7: Create and Save Presets

• Once the DNG files are open, press the three dots icon and select “Create Preset.”
• Name the preset and save it to a new or existing preset group.

Step 8: Apply Presets to Other Images

• Apply the presets to different images by selecting them from the Presets tab.
• You can fine-tune the settings to make the preset suit your preferences.

Step 9: Save Updated Preset

• If you made adjustments, press the three dots icon.
• Now choose “Update with Current Settings”.
• This will save the changes to the preset.

Conclusion

By following these 7 methods, photographers of all levels can learn how to add presets in Lightroom. Presets are the best way you can save time and enhance your creative process to achieve stunning results with ease. Give these methods a try to quickly add and sync your preset collection across all devices.