What causes "Lightroom Mobile Not Syncing With Desktop (Classic)"?

The collection isn't set to sync in Classic Collection sets don't sync to mobile; only the collections inside them do The mobile album isn't set to Auto Add from Camera Roll The phone hasn't finished uploading to the cloud (app closed, cellular upload off, low battery) The Classic download location points to a disconnected drive Signed in with a different Adobe ID on one device Sync paused in Classic

How do I fix "Lightroom Mobile Not Syncing With Desktop (Classic)"?

1. Turn on sync for the collection in Classic: In the Collections panel, check the sync box next to the collection (or tick 'Sync with Lightroom' when creating it) Use the filter (magnifying glass) > Synced Collections to see what syncs Remember that collection sets don't sync, only the collections inside them 2. Let the phone finish uploading: Open Lightroom on the phone and wait for the cloud status to show everything synced Stay on Wi-Fi or allow cellular uploads in App Settings To auto-import new camera roll photos, open the album's ... menu and turn on Auto Add from Camera Roll 3. Check where Classic saves mobile photos: Open Preferences > Lightroom Sync Under Location, choose a folder for synced images on a drive that is always connected Make sure Classic is running so it can download new photos 4. Confirm the same account and that sync isn't paused: Check the Adobe ID in Classic (Help > Sign Out shows the account) and in the mobile app settings Click the Identity Plate in Classic and resume sync if it shows Paused 5. If photos are stuck, follow the stuck-sync steps: Check Sync Activity in Preferences > Lightroom Sync for errors Look for 'Sync Issues' albums on lightroom.adobe.com

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Lightroom Mobile Not Syncing With Desktop (Classic)

Workaround available iOS, Android, Mac, Windows Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Lightroom Classic only syncs collections marked 'Sync with Lightroom', and photos added on your phone download to the folder set in Preferences > Lightroom Sync. If photos don't appear, check that the collection is synced, that the phone finished uploading and that the download location exists.

Most likely fix: Turn on sync for the collection in Classic.

Symptoms

Photos taken or edited in Lightroom on iPhone, iPad or Android never show up in Lightroom Classic, or Classic collections don't appear on the phone.

Why it happens

The collection isn't set to sync in Classic
Collection sets don't sync to mobile; only the collections inside them do
The mobile album isn't set to Auto Add from Camera Roll
The phone hasn't finished uploading to the cloud (app closed, cellular upload off, low battery)
The Classic download location points to a disconnected drive
Signed in with a different Adobe ID on one device
Sync paused in Classic

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. Turn on sync for the collection in Classic
1. In the Collections panel, check the sync box next to the collection (or tick 'Sync with Lightroom' when creating it)
2. Use the filter (magnifying glass) > Synced Collections to see what syncs
3. Remember that collection sets don't sync, only the collections inside them
2. Let the phone finish uploading
1. Open Lightroom on the phone and wait for the cloud status to show everything synced
2. Stay on Wi-Fi or allow cellular uploads in App Settings
3. To auto-import new camera roll photos, open the album's ... menu and turn on Auto Add from Camera Roll
3. Check where Classic saves mobile photos
1. Open Preferences > Lightroom Sync
2. Under Location, choose a folder for synced images on a drive that is always connected
3. Make sure Classic is running so it can download new photos
4. Confirm the same account and that sync isn't paused
1. Check the Adobe ID in Classic (Help > Sign Out shows the account) and in the mobile app settings
2. Click the Identity Plate in Classic and resume sync if it shows Paused
5. If photos are stuck, follow the stuck-sync steps
1. Check Sync Activity in Preferences > Lightroom Sync for errors
2. Look for 'Sync Issues' albums on lightroom.adobe.com

This guide also covers

lightroom mobile not syncing with desktop
lightroom mobile not syncing to lightroom classic
lightroom classic not showing mobile photos
lightroom phone photos not syncing

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