If you’re new to editing with Lightroom Mobile, the setup process can feel a little confusing at first — especially when it comes to installing custom presets.
The good news?
You don’t need a desktop or any complicated software.
In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to install Lightroom presets on iPhone using only the free Lightroom Mobile app.
It only takes a few minutes to set up, and once you’ve done it once, it’s easy to apply presets to any photo with one tap.
What You’ll Need
To follow along, you’ll need:
- An iPhone
- The free Lightroom Mobile app (from the App Store)
- A preset pack (we’ll be using PlatSupply presets as the example)
- The Files app, which comes pre-installed on iPhones
No Lightroom desktop subscription required.
Step-by-Step: Installing Lightroom Presets on iPhone
1. Download and Unzip the Preset Files
Once you’ve purchased your preset pack, you’ll get a ZIP file.
Save it to your phone — usually through a download link or email.
Open the Files app, find the ZIP file, and tap it once to unzip.
Inside, you’ll see a set of .DNG files.
These are your preset files.
If the thumbnails look blank or grey — that’s normal.
2. Open Lightroom Mobile
Download Lightroom Mobile from the App Store if you haven’t already.
Open the app and go to your Library tab.
3. (Optional) Create a New Album for Presets
To keep things organised, you can create a new album called “Presets” or something similar.
In the Albums section:
- Tap the “+” icon
- Name your album
- Tap OK to create it
4. Import the Preset Files
Once you’re in the album (or anywhere in your library):
- Tap the import icon (a photo with a plus symbol)
- Choose “From Files”
- Navigate to your unzipped folder and select the
.DNGfiles - Tap Open to import them
The files will now appear in your library. Again — they may look like blank images, but they’re working.
5. Save the Presets
Now you’ll turn each DNG file into a usable preset.
- Tap on one of the DNG files to open it
- Tap the three dots icon (•••) in the top right
- Select “Create Preset”
- Name it (e.g. “Muted Film” or “Travel Soft”)
- Tap the checkmark to save
Repeat this for each DNG file you imported.
6. Apply Presets to Your Photos
Now when you open any photo in Lightroom, just:
- Scroll across the toolbar to “Presets”
- Tap the preset you saved
- Done
You can make adjustments after applying if you want, but the preset will give you a strong starting point.
Why This Works So Well
Installing presets manually gives you full control and flexibility. You can:
- Apply different looks to different types of photos
- Create your own editing workflow
- Keep everything saved in one app on your phone
And because these are real Lightroom presets (not filters), you can tweak anything — from exposure and contrast to colour tones and shadows.
Quick Recap
If you’re just getting started with mobile photo editing, presets are one of the easiest ways to improve your edits without having to learn everything from scratch.
Setting them up takes a few minutes, and once they’re installed, you can use them on any photo in your camera roll.
At PlatSupply, we create presets specifically for iPhone photos — designed to work with how iPhones capture colour, light, and detail.
