Quick answer: To install brushes in Procreate, save the .brush or .brushset file to the Files app on your iPad, unzip it if it arrived as a .zip, then tap the file. Procreate opens and imports it automatically: single brushes appear in an “Imported” set at the top of the Brush Library, and brush sets appear as a new named set. You can also drag files from Files into the Brush Library in Split View, or import from inside Procreate.
Downloading a brush pack takes seconds. Getting it to show up inside Procreate is where people get stuck, usually because the file is still zipped, saved in the wrong place, or opened from an app that does not hand it to Procreate properly.
Below you will find four reliable ways to install brushes in Procreate, a file-type cheat sheet, fixes for the most common import errors, and tips for keeping a growing library organized. If you are installing a new set for scenery work, our comparison of the best Procreate landscape brushes is a useful place to choose a pack first.
Know Your File Before You Install
Procreate is picky about formats. Check the file extension before doing anything else. In the Files app, long-press the file and choose Get Info if the extension is hidden.
| File type | What it is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| .brush | A single Procreate brush | Tap to import; lands in the “Imported” set |
| .brushset | A group of Procreate brushes | Tap to import; creates its own set |
| .zip | A compressed folder | Tap in Files to extract, then import the contents |
| .abr | Photoshop brushes | Procreate can import these; results vary by brush |
| .swatches | A color palette, not a brush | Tap to import into Colors, not Brushes |
| .procreate | A Procreate artwork file | Opens in the Gallery as a canvas, not as a brush |
A surprisingly common mix-up is a pack that bundles brushes, swatches and sample artwork in one zip. Each file type goes to a different place in Procreate, so import them one at a time.
How to Install Brushes in Procreate: 4 Methods
Method 1: Tap the file in the Files app (easiest)
- Download the brush file in Safari. When prompted, save it to the Files app, usually the Downloads folder.
- Open the Files app and find the download.
- If it is a .zip, tap it once. Files extracts it into a folder next to the zip.
- Open the folder and tap the .brush or .brushset file.
- Procreate launches and shows an import confirmation. The brushes are now in your Brush Library.
Method 2: Drag and drop in Split View
- Open Procreate and any canvas, then open the Brush Library.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to show the Dock and drag the Files app to the side of the screen to open Split View or Slide Over.
- Locate the brush file in Files.
- Long-press the file, drag it across, and drop it on the Brush Library.
This method is handy when you want to install several brushes in a row or place them directly into a specific set. Dropping several files at once usually works too.
Method 3: Import from inside Procreate
- Open the Brush Library and select the set you want the brush added to.
- Tap the + icon at the top right to open the Brush Studio for a new brush.
- Look for the Import option at the top of the Brush Studio and choose your file from Files.
Button placement has moved between Procreate versions, so if you do not see Import there, use Method 1 or 2, which work across versions.
Method 4: AirDrop from a Mac or another iPad
AirDrop the .brush or .brushset file to your iPad. When it arrives, choose Procreate from the list of apps if asked. This is the quickest option when brushes were purchased or downloaded on a computer.
How to Download Procreate Brushes the Right Way
Most install problems start at the download step. A few habits prevent them.
- Download in Safari on the iPad itself when possible. Some in-app browsers (inside social or email apps) do not save files correctly.
- Choose “Download” rather than “Open in.” Saving to Files first gives you a copy to retry from if import fails.
- Watch for preview pages. Some file hosts show a preview with a separate download button. Tapping the preview may save a web page, not the brush.
- Check the file size. A brush file that is only a few kilobytes may be a broken download or a shortcut.
- Download from the creator or a reputable marketplace. Re-uploaded packs on random sites are often outdated, mislabeled or unlicensed.
How to get free Procreate brushes safely
Many artists release free brushes or sample packs from their portfolio sites, newsletters and creator storefronts. Procreate’s own community forum is another source. Free does not always mean free for commercial use, so read the license file included with the download. If there is none, assume personal use only until you confirm otherwise.
Installing Brushes on a Computer First
If you bought a pack on a Windows PC or Mac, you need to move it to the iPad. Options include:
- Cloud storage: Upload to iCloud Drive, Google Drive or Dropbox, then open it from the Files app on the iPad. Make sure the file is downloaded locally, not just a cloud placeholder.
- AirDrop: From a Mac, right-click the file, choose Share, then AirDrop.
- Cable: Connect the iPad and use Finder (Mac) or a file transfer tool to copy into Procreate’s folder.
Unzip on the computer or on the iPad, whichever is easier. Both work.
Where Do Installed Brushes Go?
Single .brush files collect in a set named Imported at the top of the Brush Library. That set fills up quickly, so move brushes out: in the Brush Library, long-press a brush, drag it, and hover over another set until it opens, then drop.
.brushset files create their own set with the creator’s name. You can rename it by tapping the set name, or drag the whole set up and down the list to change its position. Sets you use daily belong near the top.
Fixing Brush Import Problems
“Import failed” or nothing happens
The file is probably still zipped, damaged, or not a Procreate brush. Re-download it, extract it in Files, and confirm the extension. Restart Procreate and try again.
The brush imported but looks wrong
Some brushes are designed for a specific canvas size or for Apple Pencil pressure. Test on a canvas around the size the creator recommends. If you are drawing with a finger, pressure-based settings will not respond.
The file opens in the wrong app
In Files, long-press the brush, tap Share, then pick Procreate from the app list. This forces the handoff.
Procreate Pocket will not accept the brush
Procreate Pocket for iPhone can import brushes, but some packs are built with features or sizes that suit the iPad version better. Check the product description for Pocket compatibility.
Photoshop brushes import partially
Procreate converts .abr files into its own format. Tip shapes usually come across, while advanced Photoshop dynamics may be simplified. Open the brush in the Brush Studio to adjust spacing and pressure afterward.
The brush set appeared, but it is empty
This can happen when a download is interrupted. Delete the empty set, re-download, and install again.
After You Install: A 5-Minute Brush Setup
A brush that is installed is not always a brush that is ready. Run each new brush through a short checklist.
- Duplicate before editing. Swipe left on the brush and tap Duplicate. Keep the original untouched.
- Test sizes. Draw at the smallest, middle and largest size you would use.
- Test pressure. Make light and heavy strokes. If it is too sensitive, adjust the pressure curve in Settings, Pressure and Smoothing, or in the brush’s Apple Pencil settings.
- Adjust maximum size. In the Brush Studio’s Properties section, lower the maximum if the brush becomes unwieldy.
- Rename clearly. “Foliage dry 01” beats “Brush 14” when you are searching mid-painting.
Installing Landscape Brush Packs: What to Expect
Landscape packs tend to include stamp brushes (single trees, rocks, clouds), scatter brushes (grass, leaves, stars) and texture brushes (rock faces, water ripples). Stamp brushes often have very wide spacing on purpose, so a single tap places one element. Scatter brushes rely on jitter and rotation. If a stamp brush seems to “dot,” that is usually intended. Paint on separate layers for sky, midground and foreground so you can adjust each one. For pack recommendations with these brush types, see the top landscape brush sets for Procreate.
How to Make Brushes in Procreate Instead of Installing Them
Installing someone else’s brush is fast, but making your own takes only a few more minutes once you know the Brush Studio. Tap + in the Brush Library, import a white-on-black Shape image and a texture Grain image, then tune spacing, taper and pressure. Many artists combine both approaches: they install a strong pack, then duplicate and tweak favorites into custom versions.
Keeping a Large Library Organized
- Create sets by job, such as Sketch, Ink, Paint, Texture and Landscape, rather than by creator.
- Delete brushes you have not used after a few projects. Fewer choices means faster painting.
- Export your organized sets as .brushset files and store them in cloud storage as a backup.
- Keep original downloads in a folder in Files so you can reinstall if needed.
How to Install Procreate Brushes on iPhone (Procreate Pocket)
The workflow on iPhone mirrors the iPad. Save the brush file to the Files app, extract any zip, then tap the .brush or .brushset file and choose Procreate Pocket if iOS asks which app to use. AirDrop from a Mac or iPad works the same way. Because the screen is smaller, the Brush Library is more compact, and very large texture brushes can feel slower on older phones. If a pack is described as iPad-only, test one brush before importing the whole set.
Installing Photoshop Brushes in Procreate
Procreate can import Photoshop .abr files, which is useful if you already own Photoshop packs or a creator only sells that format. Install them exactly like a Procreate brush: save to Files, unzip, then tap the .abr file or drag it into the Brush Library. Procreate converts each brush tip into its own format and places the results in a new set.
What to expect after conversion:
- Brush tip shapes usually import accurately.
- Spacing and size often need a quick adjustment in the Brush Studio’s Stroke Path section.
- Complex Photoshop dynamics, such as dual brush or color jitter, may be simplified or dropped.
- Pressure response may feel different, so check the Apple Pencil settings for size and opacity.
For anything you will use every day, consider buying a native Procreate version of the pack. Native brushes are built around Procreate’s engine and usually need no tuning.
A Quick Install Checklist
- Confirm the file is .brush, .brushset or .abr.
- Save it to the Files app, not just an in-app browser.
- Extract any .zip archive.
- Tap the file, drag it into the Brush Library, or AirDrop it.
- Find single brushes in the Imported set and brush sets under their own name.
- Duplicate, test and rename before you start painting.
- Export a backup of sets you rely on.
FAQs
How do I install Procreate brushes from a zip file?
Save the zip to the Files app and tap it once. Files extracts the contents into a folder. Open that folder and tap each .brush or .brushset file to import it into Procreate.
Can I install brushes in Procreate without the Files app?
The Files app is the standard route on iPad. AirDrop is an alternative, and some cloud apps can pass files directly to Procreate through the Share menu.
Why are my brushes in the “Imported” set?
Single .brush files are placed there by default. Drag them into any other set, or create a new set and move them in groups.
Do Procreate brushes work on iPhone?
Procreate Pocket can import brushes, though some packs are designed for the iPad version. Check compatibility notes from the creator before buying a pack for iPhone use.
How do I uninstall brushes in Procreate?
Swipe left on a brush in the Brush Library and tap Delete. To remove a whole set, tap the set name and choose Delete. Default brushes cannot be permanently removed in the same way.
How many brushes can I install in Procreate?
There is no small fixed limit, but storage space and a cluttered library become the real constraints. Large texture brushes can use noticeable storage, so prune what you do not use.
Next Step
Once you know the file types and the Files-app workflow, installing brushes in Procreate is a 30-second job: download, unzip, tap, organize. Test each new brush, duplicate before editing, and keep backups of sets you rely on. If you are ready to add trees, skies, rock and water textures to your toolkit, explore our guide to the best Procreate landscape brush packs this year and install your first set using the steps above.
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