Learn how to export photos and videos and share albums from the Lightroom for mobile (iOS) app. If you are exporting multiple photos, the selected export settings will apply to all of them. If you select duplicate images, only one instance is exported. You can export edited photos as Original, JPG, AVIF, JXL, TIF, and DNG, with HDR Output for AVIF and JXL. Gain Map provides a solution for a consistent and adaptive display of HDR images, combining SDR and HDR renditions within a single image and interpolating between the two dynamically at display time.
Understanding Gain Map and HDR decisions
A Gain Map represents the quotient between the two renditions. The image file stores a Base rendition (SDR or HDR), the Gain Map, and some associated metadata. At display time, the Base image is combined with the scaled version of the Gain map, where the scale factor depends on the image metadata and the HDR capacity of the display. Gain Maps can be downsampled and compressed to save space.
In Lightroom view or Device view, long-press any photo to select and bring up the multi-selection view, and select all the photos that you want to export. Small (2048 px) limits the length of the exported photos to 2048 pixels. Custom applies the specified pixel value to the long edge of the photo and uses the original aspect ratio to calculate the other edge. Turn on this option to include watermark text or graphics in your exported photos. To place the watermark on or near a corner, tap the dot anchor of the particular corner before placing the watermark. HDR Output toggles the switch in JXL and AVIF to include HDR data.
Exporting from Lightroom for mobile (iOS)
After you've edited a photo, you can export a copy of the modified photo to iOS Photos. In Grid view, long-press a photo to bring up multi-select, and select one or more photos. Small (2048 px) limits the length of the exported JPG photos to 2048 pixels.
Before you select an option to export or share the photo, tap the Settings toggle icon beside Share or Save copy to device to view export settings. Lightroom allows you to retry saving your photos if the export process fails. No Internet connection: Ensure that your device is connected to the Internet. Not enough storage to perform export: Free up some storage space in iOS Photos. Create and share a short video that shows the edits you’ve made to your photo to achieve your final look in just a few taps.
In Grid view, long-press a photo to bring up the multi-selection view. In the Customize Watermark screen, select Text tab. In the field above the preview, enter the text you want to use as a watermark. Then, use the given options to format the font, adjust text size, rotate, change color between black or white, use drop shadow, change opacity, and set horizontal and vertical offsets to position your watermark. After customizing your watermark, select Left to return to the Export as screen.
Lightroom for mobile (iOS) now supports graphical watermark which you can add while exporting or sharing your photos. Open the photo you want to export in Loupe view. In Grid view, long-press any photo to bring up the multi-selection view and select all the photos that you want to export. In the Customize Watermark screen, tap the Graphic tab. In the field above the preview, tap the folders icon to upload an image that you want to use as a watermark. Then, use the rotate icon below the preview to rotate the watermark. You can also adjust the watermark size, opacity, and set horizontal and vertical offsets to position your watermark. After customizing, return to the Export as screen.
If you're in Grid view, you can select one or more photos. The export and sharing options appear in the Export screen, where you can view export settings and adjust as needed. In the Share menu, you can find preset options to quickly export your photos. Select JPG (Small), JPG (Large), Original, or Previous Settings. Lightroom will prompt you to select a location to export the photos to. Press Shift+E to view Custom Settings for exporting photos. Press Command+E (macOS)/Control+E (Windows) to quickly export the selected photos with the previously used export settings. You can also do this by choosing File > Export with Previous.
Export in Lightroom Classic and differences with mobile
In Lightroom Classic, you don't save photos in the traditional sense. Instead, you export photos to create new files that include Develop module adjustments and other changes you've made to the photos’ XMP metadata. You can choose a photo’s filename, color space, pixel dimensions, and resolution. You can also upload layouts from the Book module to Blurb.com. Choose File > Export, or click the Export button in the Library module. The top of the Export dialog box indicates how many photos will be exported. To export to a Flash drive, choose Export To > Hard Drive, and in the Export Location panel, choose Export To > Specific Folder.
(Optional) Choose an export preset. Lightroom Classic has several presets to simplify exporting photos to disk in specific file formats. If desired, select a preset from the left side of the Export dialog and skip to step 6. For example, use the File Settings panel to choose a format for your exported photos - JPEG, PSD, PSB, TIFF, PNG, DNG, or the original format - and choose a color space. In the Image Sizing panel, specify how to size the image - dimensions and resolution. Gain Map provides a solution for a consistent and adaptive display of HDR images. To learn more about Gain Map, click here.
You can perform multiple export jobs for the same set of images simultaneously. If you want to export your photos in a specific preset, you can select and export the preset. Choose File > Export, or click the Export button in the Library module. Select Choose Parent Folder to specify a main folder for all the presets. When you select one or more export presets in the Export dialog, Post-Processing sections and other sections created by third-party plug-ins are hidden in the Export Settings. Selecting a preset does not update its export settings in the Export dialog.
Best practices and workflow tips
- First, work with RAW photos for optimal quality. Calibrate your monitor to display color accurately. Understand the purpose of your image: web or print.
- After editing, use File > Export (Shift+E in Lightroom, Shift+Ctrl/Cmd+E in Lightroom Classic) to open the export settings panel.
- In the File Settings, choose the desired format (JPEG, PSD, TIFF, PNG, DNG, or Original). For HDR displays, select appropriate color spaces when supported.
- In the Image Sizing panel, set dimensions and resolution (e.g., high resolution for print at 300 ppi).
- Metadata: include essential info or remove extraneous metadata to reduce file size.
- Watermarking: add text or graphic watermarks during export to protect your work when sharing.
- Batch exports: you can run multiple export jobs for the same set of images. Use Batch Export to control destinations per preset.
- Export with Previous saves time by reusing the last export settings for additional photos.
Sharing and collaborative options
Group albums offer an easy way to share images with friends and family. With a group album, you can share an existing album or multiple photos not part of any album through an invite, create a web link, and control access, contribution rights, and interaction settings. You can edit photos in collaboration with multiple people and view edits in the Versions panel. Lightroom also enables sharing selected photos or albums as an online project to services such as Adobe Portfolio and Blurb. You can remove photos from an album by selecting them in Grid view and choosing Remove Photo from the context menu.
Watermark settings sync across mobile platforms. In the Share workflow, you can choose Custom Settings, including text or graphic watermarks with adjustable font, size, rotation, color, opacity, and anchor position. You can upload a PNG or JPG for a graphic watermark and export accordingly.
Batch Watermark Photos in Photoshop (Node-Based Workflow) | ezActions
In addition to exporting, Lightroom allows you to use presets, including exporting with previous settings or exporting multiple presets in a batch. The Export dialog’s top bar indicates how many photos will be exported, and you can specify a main folder for presets using Choose Parent Folder.
Practical export scenarios you might use
- Export for web: JPEG, sRGB, 2048 px max for fast loading with retained quality.
- Print exports: TIFF or high-quality JPEG with 300 ppi and color space suited for print (Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB depending on workflow).
- HDR displays: AVIF or JPEG XL with HDR data enabled; consider Gain Map for consistent dynamic range on various screens.
- Watermarked exports for social sharing: add text or graphic watermark with appropriate position and transparency.
Note: The article uses only the content provided in the draft to describe Lightroom export features, emphasizing practical steps and settings for both mobile and desktop workflows.