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LionheartPix
LionheartPix
Known Participant
November 22, 2025
Answered

Migration advice PS plugins and LR catalogs

  • November 22, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 437 views

I will soon move to a new computer. I am moving from a 2017 Intel iMac running Ventura to a Mac M4Pro Mini running sequoia or Tahoe. It will arrive Monday and if it has Sequoia, I will update to Tahoe as a first step in setting up. I am a Creative Cloud subscriber, all my apps are current —except for LR which no longer is updated for my machine—so I plan to simply download to the new machine a new install of my apps from CC.

1) How do I best handle moving my LR catalogs from the old machine to the new one?

2) And my second question is about PS plugins. On my current machine I have multiple versions of PS, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026. Can I copy and transfer the most recent plugins from PS to the new install on the new machine, or is there some other process? I also plan to do new installs of those apps referenced in PlugIns, eg the Topaz suite and Q Image One. If I do that would they automatically install the plugins making my effort to move them unnecessary?

Appreciate any advice and TIA

Correct answer D Fosse

Hi, Claire,

TBH, I am still in the setup phase on the computer. I've used LrC a little, but using a new catalog. I have organized the catalogs, but haven't yet attempted to put them into LrC. Fortunately there's no work pending; I finished a big project before the move happened. What I am aiming for, and have the resources, I think, to accomplish, is to have the ability to either file...open catalog or file...open recent and have a listing of all of my catalogs.

So, I "think" the help here will work, I've perused the Queen's site, but haven't attempted the move yet. 

Thanks for checking


The catalog file is a standalone file; you just move it over and open in the new machine. The image files are a separate move, but if they are on an external drive you just pick up where you left off. Make sure the drive has the same name in the new operating system. 

 

The catalog file needs to be upgraded to the new LrC version. Just follow the instructions when opening it.

 

PS plugins should normally be reinstalled from original/updated installers.

 

Generally - don't "migrate"; reinstall.

2 replies

Conrad_C
Community Expert
Conrad_CCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 17, 2025

The location of the Lightroom Classic catalog folders isn’t critical. They’re like Word or Excel files…store them anywhere you like, on any internal or external volume. You can simply store them in the same folder locations on the new Mac. For example, if you currently have some Lightroom Catalog folders in…

(name of iMac)/users/(username)/Pictures/Lightroom

 

…you can just store them on the new Mac at…

(name of Mac mini)/users/(username)/Pictures/Lightroom

 

which is the same place on both computers.

 

Photoshop plug-ins not made by Adobe won’t reinstall automatically. They may be migrated if you use Apple Migration Assistant, but because you’re switching from an Intel to Apple Silicon processor it’s probably best if you only migrate data, and plan to reinstall all apps and plug-ins.

 

Also, both Lightroom Classic and Photoshop have many settings files all over the place. Use the following Adobe articles as references for if you need to figure out where to find, for example, your Photoshop brushes, actions, presets etc. or Lightroom Classic presets for Export, Develop, metadata etc. are stored, in case they aren’t showing up on the new Mac. It’s a good idea to at least skim these documents before you make a big move. 

 

Preference file functions, names, locations | Photoshop

Preference file and other file locations | Lightroom Classic

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 23, 2025

I will have a stab at Question 1):

Is that Lightroom [Lr] or Lightroom-Classic [LrC] ?

For [Lr] - simply install Lightroom from the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop app, Sign in with ID and PW, launch [Lr], continue as before.

For [LrC] - you will need to copy images files and Catalog, etc, to the new system. You will find further details in a free eBook from the Lightroom-Queen :  https://www.lightroomqueen.com/moving-lightroom-free-ebook/

 

 

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.3, Photoshop 27.5, ACR 18.3, Lightroom 9.3, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .
    LionheartPix
    LionheartPixAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 24, 2025

    Thanks, Rob, I pretty much only use LightRoom Classic. And other than some random images on my present computer, my main respository of files is on an external drive. Heading over to visit the Queen now. Appreciate your input.

    Claire H.
    Community Manager
    Claire H.Community Manager
    Community Manager
    December 12, 2025

    Hi @LionheartPix, I'm just checking in to see if the suggestion helped or if you are still running into this issue? Did the resources you found on the Lightroom Queens site help you? Let us know how things are going. Happy to keep troubleshooting with you if needed. Thanks! ^CH

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