How To Add Presets To Lightroom Mobile (DNG, XMP, lrtemplate)

This tutorial will teach you how to add presets to Lightroom Mobile in a few different ways, depending on what format your presets came in.

For DNG files – you can install your presets directly into your Lightroom Mobile app without using a desktop.

For lrtemplate or XMP files – you would need to use Lightroom Desktop – either Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic CC. To subscribe to Lightroom Desktop click here.

If you haven’t yet, check out our custom Desktop and Mobile presets here. Each preset comes in easy to install XMP and DNG format.

Method 1 – How To Add DNG Files To Lightroom Mobile

Step 1: Get The DNG Files To Your Phone

Most mobile presets come as DNG files that you can download to your phone directly from the site you purchased them on. In this case, download the files to your phone and go to Step 2.

But if the presets you bought were in a ZIP file, you will need to unzip them. You can unzip the files directly on your phone using an app like iZIP.

Or you can do that on your laptop and transfer the files to your phone using cloud storage (like Dropbox).

Open the Dropbox app on your phone and tap on the 3 dots button next to each DNG file:

 

Tap on Export:

 

Next tap on Save Image:

Step 2: Add Presets To Lightroom Mobile 

Now that you have all the presets saved to your phone, you just need to add them to Lightroom Mobile.

Open the Lightroom app and create a new album by tapping [+] and then Create Album.

 

Then open the new album, tap on the 3 dots in the upper right corner and then tap on Add Photos:

 

If you downloaded your DNG files through iZip, select From Files and then go to iZip files.

If you got the DNG files to your Camera Roll through Dropbox or download, select From Camera Roll:

Next, select the DNG presets from your camera roll (or from iZIP) and add them into the new album you created in Lightroom:

Step 3: Save Presets In Lightroom

At this point all of your DNG files should be in the new album you created in Lightroom Mobile. Now you just need to go through each file and save it as a preset to use later.

Go into the album containing your newly imported DNG files. Open the first file:

 

Tap on the 3 dots icon at the top right of the screen and then tap on Create Preset:

Next you will see the New Preset screen below where you can use to customize the preset you’re saving. Name your preset and choose which preset group you want to save it in. You can save it in User Presets or you can create your own groups. This is best if you have a lot of presets and want to keep them organized.

The checkboxes below determine which picture settings you’d like to save with this preset. Only the settings you choose here will be applied to the pictures you edit with it in the future.

I personally check all boxes except for Tools, Optics and Geometry. These options are for cropping, tilting and rotating the picture so it’s best not to leave them in the preset. You probably won’t need the same exact crop or rotation for any 2 pictures.

When you’re done with the settings save your preset by tapping on the checkmark icon at the top right corner.

Repeat this step for each DNG file as you will need to save each preset separately. Don’t worry though, you only need to do this once!

And that’s it! Now you know how to add DNG presets to Lightroom Mobile 🙂

Method 2 – How To Add lrtemplate or XMP Files To Lightroom Mobile

Xmp and lrtemplate presets are technically not meant to be used on Lightroom Mobile. They are desktop presets. However, you can easily transfer them to your phone and use them on the app as well. But you would still need a Lightroom Desktop subscription to be able to install them. To subscribe to Lightroom Desktop click here.

There are actually 2 versions of Lightroom for desktop – Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic CC. I personally use Lightroom Classic CC so I will show you how to transfer presets to your phone through it.

Step 1. Import The Presets Into Lightroom Classic CC

After you’ve downloaded the preset files, open Lightroom Classic CC and navigate to the Develop mode. On the left side you will see the Presets box.

Click on the [+] button and then go to Import Presets. Navigate to the files on your computer and import them.

Now the presets should be installed into your Presets box. If you can’t find them check in the User Presets folder.

Step 2. Apply The Presets To Photos

Navigate to any photos in your Lightroom library and apply the presets to them.

Step 3. Sync The Edited Photos To Mobile

Now you need to sync the edited photos with Lightroom Mobile to transfer the presets there.

To sync the files, just drag the folder that contains them into the Collections section on the bottom left. Make sure the Library module is selected.

Also make sure that the Sync icon is checked off next to the folder you want to sync.

Step 4. Save The Presets On Lightroom Mobile

Once the files are synced, open the Lightroom mobile app on your phone and navigate to the synced folder.

Go into the album containing your newly imported DNG files. Open the first file:

Tap on the 3 dots icon at the top right of the screen and then tap on Create Preset:

In the New Preset screen, give your preset a name, check off the boxes shown below and save your preset.

You will have to go through these steps for each preset you want to transfer to Lightroom Mobile. But you just need to do it once until all your presets are saved!

How To Use Presets On Lightroom Mobile

To use your new presets just go back into your library and open any photo you’d like to edit.

Tap on the Presets icon in the menu at the bottom:

Make sure the Preset Group that’s selected is the one where you saved your new presets.

Tap on any preset from the list to edit your photo and then tap on the checkmark to confirm applying the preset.

You can still continue to edit the photo and make adjustments if you like, after you’ve applied the preset.

And that’s all! Now you know how to add your presets to Lightroom Mobile whether they are in DNG, XMP or lrtemplate format.  Let us know if you have any questions or issues below.

And if you are ready to create and sell your own Lightroom Mobile Presets, click here to learn how.