When you see someone post a clean, well-lit photo on Instagram and think, “How does their photo look that good from just an iPhone?” — chances are, they’re using iPhone presets.
We'll explain exactly what iPhone presets are, why they're useful, and how you can use them to improve your photos — no photography background needed.
You’ll also learn how to install Lightroom Mobile presets on your iPhone and why they’re often a better option than standard filters.
What Is an iPhone Preset?
A preset is basically a pre-made photo edit.
It’s a group of saved settings — like brightness, contrast, colour tones, shadows, and more — that can be applied to a photo in a single tap.
Think of it like a filter, but much more refined and customisable.
Presets are typically used in editing apps like Lightroom Mobile, which is free to download and works great on iPhones.
Once you apply a preset, it instantly adjusts the look of your photo — giving it a specific style or mood without needing to edit anything manually.
Why Use iPhone Presets?
Because editing photos from scratch is time-consuming.
And unless you’ve studied photo editing or spent years playing around with Lightroom, it’s hard to get the exact result you may be after.
Presets fix that.
They help you:
- Make colours look more balanced
- Improve lighting (especially in darker shots)
- Add contrast so your photo doesn’t look flat
- Keep a consistent look across all your photos
- Save a ton of time
What Makes iPhone Presets Better Than Regular Presets?
Not all presets are built the same.
Many presets you’ll find online are designed for DSLR cameras or general use.
They can look off or over-edited when used on iPhone photos — especially since the iPhone processes colours, lighting, and sharpness differently.
That’s why iPhone-specific presets matter.
At PlatSupply, we build presets specifically for iPhone photos.
They’re designed to work with the way iPhone cameras handle exposure, colour balance, and detail — so your photos still look natural, just better.
iPhone Presets vs Instagram Filters: What’s the Difference?
People always ask this, and it’s a good question.
Filters (like the ones you use on Instagram) are quick and easy — but they’re also generic.
You can’t customise them, and make them exactly the way you want.
Presets, on the other hand:
- Keep the photo quality high
- Work well on RAW or ProRAW images
- Can be tweaked and adjusted
- Look more subtle and professional
Do You Need Experience to Use iPhone Presets?
No — presets were made to simplify the editing process.
You don’t need to be a photographer.
You don’t need editing experience.
You just need the free Lightroom Mobile app and the preset file.
It takes a few minutes to set up the preset — but once it’s saved, you can apply the preset to any photo in your camera roll with one tap.
What Kinds of Looks Can You Create?
Presets can be made for almost any visual style.
For example:
- Clean and natural
- Warm and soft
- Moody and low contrast
- Vintage tones
- High-contrast “pop” looks
It really depends on the preset itself, and what sort of look you're after.
How to Install Lightroom Presets on iPhone (Step-by-Step)
Installing presets in Lightroom Mobile might seem a bit technical the first time, but once you do it, it’s easy to repeat.
Here's a simple guide to get you set up — no desktop required.
1. Download and Unzip the Presets
After purchasing, download the preset ZIP file directly to your iPhone.
Use the Files app to locate it, then tap the ZIP file to extract it.
Inside, you’ll see a set of .DNG files — these are your presets.
2. Open Lightroom Mobile
If you haven’t already, download the Lightroom Mobile app (it’s free on the App Store).
Open the app and go to your Library.
3. Create a New Album (Optional)
To stay organised, tap “+” in the Albums section and create a folder named something like “Presets”.
4. Import the Preset Files
In your new album, tap the import icon and choose “From Files”.
Navigate to the folder you just unzipped and select the DNG files.
They’ll now appear in your library — they might look like blank photos, which is normal.
5. Save Each One as a Preset
Tap on one of the DNG images to open it.
Then:
- Tap the three dots in the top right
- Select “Create Preset”
- Name it something clear (like “Soft Film” or “Muted Travel”)
- Tap the checkmark to save
Repeat this process for each preset you imported.
6. Start Editing
Now when you edit a photo in Lightroom, go to the Presets section and you’ll see all the ones you saved.
Tap to apply.
You can tweak settings after if you need, but the preset will do most of the work for you.
Why Presets Are Great
Presets aren’t about making your photos look fake or over-processed — they’re about saving time, simplifying editing, and making your iPhone shots look better.
Whether you’re sharing on social media, building a portfolio, or just want better holiday photos — presets are an easy way to improve your results.
If you want to try high-quality presets designed specifically for iPhone, check out the full bundle at PlatSupply, where we have 100+ presets made specifically for your iPhone Photos.
