How to Import XMP Presets into Lightroom: Complete Guide

To import XMP presets into Lightroom Classic: go to Develop module → Presets panel → click + → Import Presets → select your XMP files. For Lightroom CC: Presets → three-dot menu → Import Presets. On Lightroom Mobile, open a photo in Edit → Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets.

This guide covers step-by-step instructions for all Lightroom versions, manual file placement, troubleshooting common issues, and organizing your preset library.

What Is an XMP Preset File?

XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) is Adobe's standard format for Lightroom presets. When you save a preset in modern Lightroom, it creates an XMP file containing all your editing settings.

An XMP file includes:

Basic adjustments (exposure, contrast, etc.)
Tone curve settings
HSL adjustments
Color grading
Split toning
Effects (grain, vignette)
Calibration settings
And more

When you import an XMP preset, Lightroom reads this file and makes those settings available to apply to any photo.

XMP vs LRTEMPLATE

Older Lightroom presets used the .lrtemplate format. Adobe switched to XMP starting with Lightroom Classic 7.3 (April 2018). Both formats work in modern Lightroom, but XMP is the current standard.

Importing Presets in Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic is the desktop application with the full catalog system.

Method 1: Import from the Presets Panel

Open Lightroom Classic
Go to the Develop module
Find the Presets panel on the left sidebar
Click the + button at the top of the panel
Select Import Presets
Navigate to your XMP file(s) and select them
Click Import

Your preset appears in the Presets panel, ready to use.

Method 2: Manual File Placement

For bulk imports or organization:

Find Lightroom's preset folder:
- Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/Settings
- Windows: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\Settings
Copy your XMP files into this folder (or create subfolders for organization)
Restart Lightroom Classic
Presets appear in the Presets panel

Organizing Presets in Folders

Keep your presets organized:

In the Presets panel, right-click
Select New Folder
Name your folder
Drag presets into the folder

Or create folders directly in the CameraRaw/Settings directory.

Importing Presets in Lightroom CC

Lightroom CC is the cloud-based version with simplified interface.

Desktop App

Open Lightroom CC
Open any photo in the Edit view
Click the Presets button at the bottom (icon looks like two overlapping circles)
Click the three dots menu at the top of the preset panel
Select Import Presets
Navigate to your XMP file(s)
Click Import

Accessing the Presets

After import, presets appear under "User Presets" in the preset panel.

Syncing Presets to Lightroom Mobile

The best part of Lightroom CC: presets sync automatically to your phone and tablet.

If You Use Lightroom CC

Import presets on desktop (using steps above)
Wait for sync to complete
Open Lightroom Mobile
Presets appear automatically in the Presets panel

If You Use Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic doesn't sync presets directly to Mobile. Workaround:

Import preset into Lightroom Classic
Apply preset to any photo
Sync that photo to Lightroom Mobile via Creative Cloud
On Mobile, open the synced photo
Save as a new preset in Mobile

This creates a Mobile-native preset from your Classic preset.

Mobile-Only Import

On iOS/Android:

Save the XMP file to your device (via email, cloud storage, etc.)
Open Lightroom Mobile
Open any photo
In the Edit panel, choose Presets
Open the Yours tab
Open Options, then choose Import Presets
Select the downloaded XMP file

These mobile steps follow Adobe's import instructions. Menu labels can vary with the app version.

Troubleshooting Common Import Issues

Preset Doesn't Appear After Import

Restart Lightroom. Sometimes it takes a restart for new presets to show up.

Check the location. In Classic, expand all folders in the Presets panel. It might be hiding.

File permissions. Ensure the XMP file isn't read-only or blocked by your OS.

Preset Has No Effect

Check what's included. Some presets only adjust specific settings. If those settings are already at the values in the preset, you won't see a change.

Reset first. Before applying a preset, try resetting the photo to defaults, then apply.

Preset Looks Different Than Expected

Camera profiles. If the original preset used a specific camera profile you don't have, the look will differ.

Different starting points. Presets adjust relative to your current settings. Starting from defaults gives more predictable results.

Exposure differences. A preset designed for underexposed images will look wrong on properly exposed photos.

"Invalid Preset" Error

Corrupted file. Re-download the preset.

Wrong format. Ensure it's actually an XMP file, not a zip or different format.

Version mismatch. Very old presets might not work with very new Lightroom, or vice versa. Rare, but possible.

Managing Your Preset Collection

Naming Conventions

Use clear, consistent names:

[Style] - [Condition] - [Intensity]
Example: Film - Indoor - Strong

Folder Structure

Organize by:

Style (Film, Clean, Moody, etc.)
Use case (Portrait, Landscape, Wedding)
Source (pack name, custom, GrainLab)

Backup Your Presets

Your preset collection is valuable. Back up the Settings folder regularly:

Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/Settings
Windows: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\Settings

Cleaning Up

Delete presets you don't use. A smaller, curated collection is faster to navigate.

Creating Your Own XMP Presets

Beyond importing, you can create custom presets:

In Lightroom

Edit a photo to your liking
In the Presets panel, click +
Select Create Preset
Name it and choose which settings to include
Click Create

With GrainLab

Upload any photo with editing you love to GrainLab. GrainLab estimates editing settings and generates an XMP preset to try in Lightroom.

Quick Reference

| Platform | Import Method | |----------|---------------| | Lightroom Classic | Presets panel → + → Import Presets | | Lightroom CC Desktop | Presets → ⋯ menu → Import Presets | | Lightroom Mobile | Edit → Presets → Yours → Options → Import Presets |

Your preset folder:

Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/Settings
Windows: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\Settings

Now go import some presets. Need custom ones? Create them with GrainLab—three decodes per rolling 24 hours are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I put XMP presets in Lightroom?

For manual placement: Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/Settings. Windows: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\Settings. Create subfolders for organization. Restart Lightroom after adding files.

Why won't my XMP preset import into Lightroom?

Common causes: corrupted file (re-download), wrong file format (ensure it's actually .xmp), file permissions issue (right-click → Properties → unblock on Windows), or version mismatch with very old presets. Try restarting Lightroom after import.

What's the difference between XMP and LRTEMPLATE?

XMP is Adobe's current preset format (since Lightroom Classic 7.3 in April 2018). LRTEMPLATE is the older format. Both work in modern Lightroom, but XMP is the standard now. New presets should use XMP.

Do Lightroom Classic presets work in Lightroom CC?

XMP presets work in both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC. Import the same XMP file into either application. Lightroom CC presets sync automatically to Mobile; Classic presets require a workaround (apply to synced photo, save as new preset on Mobile).

How do I organize presets in Lightroom?

Create folders in the Presets panel (right-click → New Folder) or create subfolders directly in the CameraRaw/Settings directory. Use consistent naming: [Style] - [Condition] - [Intensity] (e.g., "Film - Indoor - Strong"). Delete presets you don't use.