One of the strengths of the newer simplified cloud-based Lightroom application is that when you use it on multiple computers, Lightroom automatically keeps your images and work in sync amongst the computers. (This is not the case with Lightroom Classic, to the despair of some Classic users.)
We’re used to being able to use Adobe applications, including Lightroom Classic, on two computers – but little known is that under limited circumstances you can use the cloud-based Lightroom application with up to five. This is only possible with the standalone cloud-based Lightroom subscription with 1+ TB of data – if instead you access the cloud-based Lightroom as part of the Creative Cloud Photography Plan along with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, you are limited to using the cloud-based Lightroom on two computers, just as you’re limited to using Classic and Photoshop on two computers.
The five computers used with cloud-based Lightroom can be a mix of Macs and PCs (as can the two under the Photography Plan). To add another computer, install the Creative Cloud application on that computer (you’ll be prompted to sign in) and then install Lightroom. You can view and manage authorized computers in your account on Adobe.com – go to Manage Account, then Manage Plan, then scroll down to Activated Devices.
Here’s a workaround so that CC Photography Plan subscribers can also use cloud-based Lightroom on up to five computers:
Let’s say, for example, that you have the Photography Plan subscription with 1 TB of data (so that you have enough data for the cloud-based Lightroom) – in the U.S. this is $19.99/month. To get the 5-computer limit for the cloud-based Lightroom while still having access to Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, change your Photography Plan subscription to the smaller 20 GB data version, which is $9.99/mo, and then also subscribe to the stand-alone cloud-based Lightroom plan, with 1 TB of data, for $9.99, which is what gives you the 5 computer limit. You’ll get the five-computer limit for cloud-based Lightroom and you’ll save a penny! The only downside of this is that for syncing mobile photos to Lightroom Classic, you’ll be limited to 20 GB – so you’ll need to free up space periodically by removing the synced photos from the cloud by removing them from the All Synced Photographs collection in the Catalog panel – this won’t remove them from Lightroom Classic or your computer, just from the cloud, your mobile devices, and Lightroom Web. (The 20 GB limit doesn’t apply to photos you’re syncing from Lightroom Classic to Mobile and Web – in that case only smart previews are synced, not originals, and there’s no limit.)
Note that this workaround does not increase the limit for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop usage – you’ll still be limited two two computers for these.
Interested in using Lightroom Classic on more than two computers?
There’s no way to do this short of purchasing a team subscription or two subscriptions. On Adobe’s feedback site let Adobe know that you want them to expand what’s allowed for Classic to five computers – perhaps if they hear from enough of you, they’ll make this change.
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