Manage color profiles when opening images

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

Learn how to choose how Photoshop handles embedded color profiles when you open images.

Photoshop uses the color management policies you configure to determine how it handles embedded and missing color profiles when opening images. If you enable profile warnings, you can review and choose how to handle each file before it opens.

  • You have a basic understanding of color profiles and color spaces.
  • Use sample images with embedded color profiles to test different behaviors.

Configure color management policies

Select Edit > Color Settings.

Under Color Management Policies, choose a policy for RGB, CMYK, and Gray:

  • Off – Disables color management.
  • Preserve Embedded Profiles – Keeps the color profile embedded in the image.
  • Convert to Working Space – Converts the image to your current working color space.

Under Profile Mismatches, select one or both options:

  • Ask When Opening
  • Ask When Pasting

Under Missing Profiles, select Ask When Opening if you want Photoshop to prompt you when opening images without embedded profiles.

Select OK to save your settings.

When you open images after configuring these settings, Photoshop automatically follows the selected policy. If you enabled profile warnings, Photoshop displays a dialog box when it detects a profile mismatch or a missing profile, allowing you to choose how to proceed.

Handle profile mismatch warnings

Open an image whose embedded profile differs from your working color space.

In the Embedded Profile Mismatch dialog box, choose one of the following:

  • Use the embedded profile to preserve the image's original color space.
  • Convert the document's colors to the working space to match your workflow.
  • Discard the embedded profile to remove the profile information.

Select OK to open the image.

Tip

For web workflows, use sRGB as your RGB working space and convert to Working Space for consistent colors across displays. Images placed as Smart Objects retain their embedded profiles, regardless of your color management policy. For professional print workflows, consult your print service provider before changing CMYK color profile settings.