Can't Figure out a workflow for iPad and Desktop, sync still stuck after 2 days

Report · Jul 02, 2024

I'm new to Lightroom, coming over from Capture One, and I'm trying to figure out a workflow to use my iPad as a client reference on jobs. I just came back from a shoot where I was importing my RAW images shot on Sony A7RV to my iPad in Lightroom, and clients were able to review and make their selections right away which was great! But now I'm running into a seemingly never ending sync procress to try and get the Lightroom on Desktop to load everything, which I understand takes a while with RAW, but it's been over 2 days now. The iPad has 3,111 images in the Lightroom app and it says 2,840 images pending syncing. The Desktop version only shows 294 images and is very slowly telling me "syncing 46 items." Doesn't seem to be uploading/downloading quickly or the same number of photos.

What is a faster way to try this workflow so I can use my iPad to be portable, but not wait ages for it to sync over? Would it be better to shoot JPG + RAW and only load the JPG images into the iPad then import the RAW's later on Desktop? What does that do for the sync if I did that, would it still try to sync the RAW's I'd import into Desktop? Or can I tell Ligthroom to only sync JPG and ignore the RAW?

Appreciate the help!

Report · Jul 08, 2024

Hello @Austin2895558550gn

Lightroom Mobile on iOS, and Lightroom for your Mac will sync all images that get imported. You can choose what to files to import, but after import you cannot selectively sync only JPGs and not raw images .

Regarding the days long sync effort, are you keeping the app awake? Lightroom Mobile must be awake and running to sync. (The iOS platform has limitations on apps syncing while running in the background.)

Please plug your iPad into power, and let the app run until sync is complete. Lightroom Mobile will keep the device awake with the app running if you plug into power. And of course, make sure your network connection to your iPad is strong and stable.