Modern mobile photography requires not only the ability to frame a frame, but also the ability to quickly process images while maintaining a consistent style. Software package Adobe Lightroom has become an industry standard, allowing you to apply complex color correction algorithms in just one click. This is precisely why presets exist - ready-made sets of settings that turn an ordinary photo into a professional work.
Many novice photographers find it difficult to import third-party profiles for the first time, as the program's interface can seem overwhelming. In this article we will look in detail at how to add a preset to lightroom on various platforms, including mobile devices and desktop versions. You will learn about file formats, the nuances of working with DNG containers, and ways to synchronize settings between devices.
Using ready-made processing profiles significantly speeds up the workflow, especially when you need to process a large series of photographs taken under the same lighting conditions. You no longer have to manually select curves or white balance for each frame. It is enough to apply a ready-made solution and make minimal adjustments to the exposure.
Preparing for installation: program formats and versions
Before proceeding with technical actions, you need to make sure that you have the latest version of the application installed Adobe Lightroom. Older versions may not support new profile formats such as .XMP, which replaced the obsolete .LRTEMPLATE. For mobile devices, it is also critical to have the full version of the application, since basic functions sometimes limit the import of third-party settings.
There are two main types of files that you will work with. The first is native Lightroom settings files, which have the extensions .XMP or .LRTEMPLATE. The second type is files DNG (Digital Negative), which are RAW images with settings already applied to them. The mobile version of the program worked exclusively with DNG for a long time, and this format still remains the most universal for smartphones.
Always check the file extension before downloading. If you see a ZIP archive, you must first extract it in your device's file manager.
Make sure your profile files are saved in an accessible location on your device. On computers this can be a work folder or cloud storage, and on smartphones it can be the Downloads folder or iCloud Drive. Proper organization of files before the process begins will save you time searching for the desired item in the depths of the file system.
Installing presets on mobile devices (Android and iOS)
The process of adding profiles to smartphones has its own characteristics that differ from working on a computer. In mobile version Lightroom Mobile There is no direct “Import profile” button for XMP files, so the method of copying settings from a DNG file is used. This requires performing a certain sequence of actions, which we will now analyze.
First, open the application and go to the mode of adding a new photo. Select a saved file format from the gallery DNG, which contains the desired color settings. After the photo opens in the editor, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the “Copy settings” option. In the menu that appears, make sure that all items are included, including color correction and details.
☑️ Installation algorithm on mobile
Now that the settings have been copied to the program's clipboard, go to any other photo of yours that you want to process. Click on the three dots again, but this time select Paste Settings. The image will instantly change back to the original DNG file. To save this result as a permanent instrument, click on the “Presets” icon in the bottom panel.
In the preset menu that opens, click on the three dots and select “Create preset.” Give your new tool a meaningful name and choose a storage group, such as "Custom". After clicking the save button (checkmark), your new profile will appear in the general list and will be available to apply to any other photos in one click.
⚠️ Attention: When copying settings from a DNG file, pay attention to the “Profile” item. If it is not copied, the end result may differ from what you expected, since the profile sets the basic color rendition.
Importing profiles on a computer (Desktop version)
Working with the desktop version Adobe Lightroom Classic or new version Lightroom (CC) provides more flexible options for managing profile libraries. Here you can directly import files .XMP and .LRTEMPLATE, making the process more logical and straightforward. To begin, open the program and go to the “Develop” module, where the editing toolbar is located.
On the left side of the screen, find the Presets panel. Right-click anywhere in this panel or click on the plus icon in the panel header. Select “Import” from the context menu. In the file manager window that opens, find the folder where you previously saved the downloaded profile files, select them and click “Import”.
| File Format | Compatibility | Installation method |
|---|---|---|
.XMP |
Lightroom Classic, CC, Mobile (via sync) | Direct import via menu |
.LRTEMPLATE |
Lightroom Classic (old versions) | Conversion or direct import |
.DNG |
All versions (as picture) | Copying settings |
After import, new profiles may appear in the User Presets group or in a separate group if it was specified when the profile author saved it. If you are using cloud sync Adobe Creative Cloud, these presets will automatically appear on your tablet or smartphone after some time, providing a unified workspace.
To mass install a large number of profiles on a PC, it is more convenient to use the function of importing several files at once, rather than transferring them one by one by copying settings.
Working with groups and organizing the library
When the number of installed profiles amounts to dozens, it is easy to get confused. Organization of presets is a skill that saves a photographer’s time in post-processing. Lightroom provides a system of groups (folders) where you can sort profiles by type of shooting, season, or color scheme. Create groups with names like “Portrait,” “Landscape,” “B&W,” or “Winter 2026.”
To create a new group on your computer, right-click on the presets panel and select “New Group”. On a mobile device, this function is available when creating a new preset or through the group management menu in the presets section. Drag and drop pre-made profiles into created folders to help you stay organized and quickly find the style you want.
Don't forget that some presets may work better on some types of matrices and worse on others. For example, a profile created for Sony Alpha, may produce unnatural colors on files with Canon or iPhone. Therefore, it makes sense to create separate groups for different cameras or mark such presets with prefixes in the name in order to immediately understand the context of their use.
The secret of professionals
Create a “Favorites” group and place there only the 5-10 most universal presets that you use 90% of the time. This will speed up your work in stressful situations.
Solution: why the preset does not work or changes color
Users often encounter a situation where, after applying a preset, the image becomes too contrasty, changes the skin color to an unnatural one, or is not applied at all. This is due to the fact that the preset settings are “overlaid” on top of the current settings of your photo. If the original photo was overexposed, then a profile for underexposed frames will only make the situation worse.
Another common problem is profile incompatibility. Profiles created in older versions of Lightroom (pre-2018) used the format .LRTEMPLATE, which new versions of the program may not convert correctly to XMP. In such cases, colors can “float”, especially in shadows and highlights. Always try to use the latest versions of files.
- 🎨 Problem: The colors became dull. Solution: Check the camera profile in the basic panel, it may be set to “Adobe Color” instead of “Camera Standard”.
- 📉 Problem: The preset is not fully applied. Solution: Make sure that when copying the settings (on mobile) you select all the options, including Tone Curve and Calibration.
- 📱 Problem: Presets from PC are not visible on the phone. Solution: Check the synchronization status in your Adobe Creative Cloud account settings and whether you have an active Internet connection.
It is also worth considering that some presets are designed exclusively for color images (JPEG/RGB) and may behave strangely on RAW files, and vice versa. Experiment with the strength of the effect using the Amount slider that appears immediately after applying the preset.
Create and export your own settings
Once you've learned how to add other people's profiles, the logical step is to create your own. Once you've processed your photo to perfection, you can save these settings as a new preset. To do this, in the presets panel, click the “plus” and select “Create preset”. In the dialog box, you can choose which settings to save: only shading, only geometry, or a full set of settings.
When creating, it is important to name the preset correctly and select a group. If you plan to share or sell your creation, make sure your profile looks good in different types of photos. Once created, you can export your preset to a file .XMP (via the preset management menu on your PC) to share it with colleagues or save it as a backup outside of the Adobe cloud.
The ability to create and modify presets opens the way to the formation of a unique author's style. You can take a ready-made profile, apply it to a photo, and then slightly change the parameters for a specific frame and save it as a new variation. This is how you develop a personal library of tools that makes your workflow unique and effective.
⚠️ Attention: When exporting presets for transfer to other users, make sure that you do not include local corrections (masks, brushes) in them, unless this is the intention, since they may not work correctly on someone else’s photo with a different composition.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I add a preset to the free version of Lightroom Mobile?
Yes, the free version of the application has the function of adding presets. However, the process is slightly different: you cannot import XMP files directly. You need to use the method with DNG files: open the DNG, copy the settings and create a new preset from them inside the application.
What is the difference between DNG and XMP presets?
XMP is a file containing only mathematical instructions for processing color and light. DNG is a RAW image format into which these settings are embedded. For Lightroom Mobile, DNG often acts as a container that carries settings, since direct XMP import is limited in the mobile version.
Why does the preset look different in the photo than in the example?
The result of applying a preset depends on the initial state of the photo: exposure, white balance, dynamic range and camera model. A preset is not a filter that overlays the same image, but a set of instructions for changing parameters. If the original photo is very different from the photo of the author of the preset, the result will be different.
Where are the preset files stored on the computer?
In Lightroom Classic, the folder path typically looks like this: C:\Users\[Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Develop Presets (Windows) or ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Develop Presets (macOS). However, it is better to use built-in import so that the program itself places the files correctly.