How to Install Lightroom Presets on Desktop and Mobile: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Installing professional Lightroom presets is the fastest way to streamline your photo editing workflow and achieve consistent, stunning color across your entire photography portfolio. Whether you shoot with a full-frame mirrorless camera or an iPhone, this definitive step-by-step guide walks you through installing both .XMP and .DNG presets on desktop and mobile.

Understanding Lightroom Preset Formats: .XMP vs .DNG

Before installing, it helps to understand why your download contains different file types:

• .XMP Files (Modern Desktop Format): Used by Adobe Lightroom Classic (version 7.3 and newer), Lightroom CC, and Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw (ACR). These are lightweight metadata files that integrate natively into your develop panel with full opacity/amount slider control.
• .DNG Files (Mobile Format): Used for the free Lightroom Mobile app on iPhone and Android. Because mobile devices without a paid Creative Cloud subscription cannot import raw .XMP folders directly, .DNG files are RAW image files with the preset settings already embedded into their metadata.
• .lrtemplate (Legacy Format): The older preset format used prior to Lightroom 7.3 (2018). If you have legacy files, modern Lightroom automatically converts them to .XMP upon import.

Part 1: How to Install Presets in Adobe Lightroom Classic (Desktop)

If you edit on Mac or Windows using Adobe Lightroom Classic, follow these simple steps:

1. Extract the Downloaded ZIP: Once you download your pack from our Lightroom Presets catalog, unzip the file on your computer to locate the folder containing the .XMP files.
2. Open Lightroom Classic: Launch Lightroom Classic and navigate to the Develop module (press D on your keyboard).
3. Open the Presets Panel: On the left-hand sidebar, locate the Presets tab and click the + (Plus) icon in the top right corner of the panel.
4. Select "Import Presets": Click Import Presets... from the dropdown menu.
5. Select Your Files: Browse to your extracted preset folder, select the .XMP files or the zipped preset folder, and click Import.
6. Start Editing: Your new presets will now appear in your Presets panel under their collection name, ready to apply to any photo with a single click.

Part 2: How to Install Presets in Lightroom CC (Cloud Desktop & Auto-Sync)

If you use the cloud-based Adobe Lightroom CC (with a Creative Cloud subscription), installing on your computer will automatically sync your presets to your mobile devices:

1. Open Lightroom CC on your desktop.
2. Open any photo and click the Edit icon (three sliders) on the top right, then click Presets at the bottom.
3. Click the three dots (...) icon at the top of the Presets panel and choose Import Presets...
4. Select your downloaded .XMP or ZIP folder and click Import.
5. Mobile Sync: Because your account is connected to Creative Cloud, these presets will automatically synchronize to the Lightroom app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device within seconds.

Part 3: How to Install Presets on Lightroom Mobile (Free App Without Subscription)

If you use the 100% free Lightroom Mobile app without an Adobe subscription, you can easily install presets using the included .DNG files:

1. Download the .DNG Files to Your Phone: Download the mobile preset files to your phone's Files app (iOS) or Downloads folder (Android).
2. Import DNG into Lightroom Mobile: Open the free Adobe Lightroom app, tap the Add Photos icon (+), and import all the downloaded .DNG files into your library. (Note: In your camera roll, DNG files may look like blank or unedited RAW thumbnails—this is completely normal).
3. Open the First DNG Image: Tap on one of the imported DNG images in Lightroom. You will see the beautiful color grade applied to the sample image.
4. Create the Preset: Tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of the screen and select Create Preset.
5. Name & Save: Enter a name for the preset (e.g., "Warm Moody Portrait 01") and select or create a new Preset Group (e.g., "LUTs Presets - Warm Film"). Tap the checkmark (✓) to save.
6. Repeat for Each DNG: Repeat this quick process for the remaining DNG files in the pack.
7. Apply to Your Photos: Now open any of your own photos, scroll along the bottom toolbar to Presets, select your new group, and tap to apply your custom aesthetic!

Pro Tips for Professional Results After Applying Presets

Even the highest-quality presets require minor personal refinement to account for different camera sensors, lighting conditions, and skin tones. Follow these three rules:

1. Use the Preset Amount Slider: In modern Lightroom, click and drag the Amount slider (at the top of the presets panel) to reduce intensity (e.g., to 75% for subtle tones) or boost it up to 150% for high-drama contrast.
2. Adjust Exposure First: Every photo is exposed differently. If a preset looks too bright or too dark, adjust your global Exposure slider before touching any other setting.
3. Fine-Tune White Balance (Temp & Tint): Color grading presets rely on natural skin tones. If skin appears too yellow or magenta, nudge the Temperature and Tint sliders slightly until skin looks healthy and lifelike.