How to Install Photoshop Actions on Desktop and Mobile

By Pretty Presets for Lightroom | Published: 2026-10-21

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to install Photoshop actions on both desktop and mobile devices. Step-by-step guide for a smooth setup and workflow.

Quick answer

Installing Photoshop actions is straightforward: download the action file, load it into Photoshop's Actions panel, and you're ready to edit. For mobile, use a compatible app like Lightroom Mobile or Photoshop Express.

Desktop vs. Mobile: What You Need to Know

Photoshop actions are designed primarily for the desktop version of Adobe Photoshop. They automate repetitive editing tasks, saving you time and ensuring consistency across your images.

Mobile devices don't run full Photoshop, so actions can't be installed directly. Instead, you can use presets in Lightroom Mobile or Photoshop Express, or transfer edited images from your desktop.

Why Use Photoshop Actions?

Actions can apply complex edits with a single click—color grading, sharpening, retouching, and more. They're especially useful for portrait photographers who want a consistent look across a series of images.

The Complete Collection of Actions & Overlays for Photoshop includes over 25 collections, from color portraits to double exposure effects, giving you a versatile toolkit.

How to Install Photoshop Actions: Step by Step

Download and Extract the Action Files: After purchasing, download the ZIP file from your account. Extract it to a folder you can easily find, like 'Photoshop Actions' on your desktop. Common mistake: trying to load the ZIP file directly into Photoshop. Always extract first.
Open the Actions Panel in Photoshop: In Photoshop, go to Window > Actions (or press Alt+F9 on Windows, Option+F9 on Mac). The Actions panel appears on the right side of the screen. If the panel is hidden, use the keyboard shortcut to bring it up quickly.
Load the Action into Photoshop: Click the panel menu icon (four horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the Actions panel. Choose 'Load Actions...' and navigate to the .atn file you extracted. Select it and click Open. Checkpoint: The action set will appear as a new folder in the Actions panel. Click the arrow to expand it and see individual actions.
Run the Action on an Image: Open your image in Photoshop. Select the action you want to use from the list. Click the 'Play' button (triangle icon) at the bottom of the Actions panel. The action will run automatically. Common mistake: not having the correct layer selected. Most actions expect the background layer to be unlocked. Duplicate it first if needed.
Using Actions on Mobile (Workaround): Since Photoshop actions don't run on mobile, export your edited image from Photoshop as a preset or use a compatible app. For Lightroom Mobile, create a preset from your edited photo and sync it to your mobile device. Alternatively, edit on desktop and save the final image to cloud storage for access on your phone.

Product Facts

Complete Collection of Actions & Overlays for Photoshop: The Complete Collection includes all 25 Photoshop Action, Overlay and Digital Background Collections plus 2 bonus collections: Double Exposure and Holiday Magic. This bundle gives you a wide range of creative tools in one download, so you can experiment with different styles without buying separate packs.
Complete Collection of Actions & Overlays for Photoshop