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Bob Holman Photography
Participating Frequently
October 20, 2025
Answered

Lightroom desktop storage

  • October 20, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 107 views

Hello,

 

This is a general knowledge question. I don't have a problem. I am just vwey curious.

 

I have Lightroom Deektop on my iMac, Macbook Pro, iPad and iPhone. All have the latest OS.

 

I know all my images, and their edits, are stored in the Cloud - which I love by the way, as I can see every change I make on all my devices.

 

But - are the images and their edits also stored locally on each device?

 

Thanks in advance.

    Correct answer Sameer K

    Hey, @Bob Holman Photography. Welcome to the Lightroom Community. I'll clarify this for you. 

    Short answer(s): Not always, & unless specified. 

     

    Slightly long answer - Lightroom uses proxies/smart previews for majority of its operations, keeping the original full-size images in the Cloud. On desktop, you can choose to keep local copies of your entire Lightroom library. On Lightroom desktop and mobile, you can keep selected albums offline, and stored locally. 

     

    When you import images into Lightroom, temporarily, local copies are created within Lightroom's database that are discarded gradually as sync completes to clear up space. 

     

    Thanks!
    Sameer K
    (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

    1 reply

    Sameer K
    Community Manager
    Sameer KCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    October 20, 2025

    Hey, @Bob Holman Photography. Welcome to the Lightroom Community. I'll clarify this for you. 

    Short answer(s): Not always, & unless specified. 

     

    Slightly long answer - Lightroom uses proxies/smart previews for majority of its operations, keeping the original full-size images in the Cloud. On desktop, you can choose to keep local copies of your entire Lightroom library. On Lightroom desktop and mobile, you can keep selected albums offline, and stored locally. 

     

    When you import images into Lightroom, temporarily, local copies are created within Lightroom's database that are discarded gradually as sync completes to clear up space. 

     

    Thanks!
    Sameer K
    (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

    B
    Bob Holman PhotographyAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 20, 2025

    Hi @Sameer K 

     

    Thanks so much for clarifying this.

     

    Just to be clear then, I can't 'back up' my 'catalogue' when using Lightroom Desktop, as a fail safe?

     

    Bob

    Sameer K
    Community Manager
    Sameer KCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    October 21, 2025

    You can, in two ways. First is the backup synced on the cloud, and second is to store a copy of all originals, from Lightroom's Preferences > Caches tab > Under 'Manage Storage'. 

    Please head here to learn more: https://adobe.ly/472E2Ft;

     

    Thanks! 

    Sameer K
    (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

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