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

[Nevin Thompson]

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?

[Conrad_C]

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.

[Nevin Thompson]

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]

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.

[Nevin Thompson]

Thanks very much. Do you know if  Lightroom Classic also include LR Mobile? In giving up Lightroom CC for Lightroom Classic, I had assumed that I would lose access to LR Mobile... but this may not be the case?

In any event, I'm just seeking a more robust version of LR. I like Lightroom CC, but it does feel a bit simplified compared to Lightroom Classic.

[Conrad_C]

Do you know if  Lightroom Classic also include LR Mobile? In giving up Lightroom CC for Lightroom Classic, I had assumed that I would lose access to LR Mobile... but this may not be the case?

By @Nevin Thompson

Lightroom Classic does work with the mobile Lightroom apps, because Lightroom Classic syncs to the same cloud storage. If you subscribe to any plan that includes Lightroom Classic, the mobile apps are part of that. If you know what you’re doing (in terms of how files are stored), you can even use Lightroom Classic and all of the Lightroom cloud apps (for desktop, mobile, and web browser) together.

Lightroom Classic is my main photo app because like you, I like the features better, and I also want to store originals locally. But I also use Lightroom on iPad and iPhone. I like to take raw photos with the Lightroom app camera, and those originals and edits automatically sync right down into Lightroom Classic, if the current catalog is the one enabled for cloud sync.

In Lightroom Classic preferences, the cloud icon at the right end of the module picker controls sync with Lightroom Photos in the cloud, and Lightroom Sync tab gives you more options for how Lightroom Classic works with cloud storage.