Difference between XMP and ZIP files
The two file types in your 123presets download work together — one is a container, the other is the preset itself. Here's exactly what each one does.
- Device
- Phone or computer
- App
- Lightroom (any version)
- Time
- 2 min
Step-by-step
- 1
ZIP is the delivery box
A ZIP is a compressed folder — think of it as a padded box that holds all your presets safely during download. You can't apply a ZIP directly in Lightroom Desktop, but Lightroom Mobile can open the box and unpack it for you.
- 2
XMP is the actual preset
Every XMP file is one preset — a small text file with the exposure, color and tone values Lightroom applies to your photo. This is the file that does the work; the ZIP just carries it around.
- 3
On mobile, feed Lightroom the ZIP
Lightroom Mobile reads the ZIP directly and installs every XMP preset inside. No extra apps, no unzipping, no file managers.
- 4
On desktop, unzip first, then use the XMP
Lightroom Desktop and Classic don't understand ZIPs. Unzip the archive first (double-click on Mac, right-click → Extract All on Windows), then import the XMP files from inside.
- 5
Same preset, everywhere
The XMP presets inside are identical across mobile, desktop and Classic. Install on one device and, with Lightroom cloud sync on, the same presets appear on your other devices too.
Mobile handles the ZIP for you. Desktop needs it unzipped first.
On desktop, if Lightroom shows nothing you likely tried to import the ZIP itself instead of the XMP files inside it.
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