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Nevin Thompson
Participant
August 31, 2023
Question

Can I easily switch from Lightroon to Lightroom Classic and save my photos in Cloud?

  • August 31, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 636 views

I have a Creative Cloud subscription. I use Lightroom CC, but would like to switch to Lightroom Classic (cloud-based). I have a large number of photos I've been editing in Lightroom CC in Creative Cloud. I have these photos stored locally, too.

Is it possible to change my subscription to Classic (cloud-based), while keeping my photos in Creative Cloud?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    Conrad_C
    Community Expert
    Conrad_CCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 31, 2023

    It’s not clear what you mean by “Lightroom Classic (cloud-based)” because Lightroom Classic always stores all originals at the local computer, while Lightroom is definitely cloud-based (always stores originals in the cloud).

     

    Because Lightroom Classic always stores originals locally, this is what will happen if you switch from Lightroom to Lightroom Classic: The first time you start Lightroom Classic and enable sync, it will download all your originals from the cloud to your computer, though it can leave limited-resolution Smart Previews in the cloud. And if you import more images into Lightroom Classic, it will of course store those originals locally because that is what it does…and it will not sync new images up to the cloud unless you specifically tell it to.

     

    So if you want all originals stored in the cloud, Lightroom Classic is not an option.

    N
    Nevin ThompsonAuthor
    Participant
    August 31, 2023

    Thanks, this answers my question (keeping in mind that until I read your question I was not familiar with Lightroom Classic's device-based approach to storage).

    It sounds to me that if I switch to Classic, I won't have any Cloud storage. However, since my photos are stored locally anyway, this shouldn't be an issue.

    Thank you.

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 1, 2023

    A small follow-up on the statement "if I switch to Classic, I won't have any Cloud storage."

    You will have 20GB of Cloud storage in the Photography Plan (20GB) (Or more if you purchase the 1TB Photography Plan)

    However- Lightroom-Classic can send proxy (Smart Preview) versions of your images (from LrC Collections)  to the Cloud that will be visible, editable in Lr-Mobile, and able to be shared online with family in portfolio, etc.

    A feature of proxy image files is that they do not occupy any of your Cloud space.  So in theory you could place all your LrC photos in Collections that will sync to the Cloud and not use any of the 20GB.

    My use of the Cloud storage is- a mix of photos taken on iPhones and Collections synced from LrC- I have ~3500 photos in the Cloud and used ~16GB of storage.

     

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
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