Helpful troubleshooting tips for downloading and importing Procreate files

If you run into any issues while downloading or importing your files into Procreate, here are a few common things to check:

Files won’t download

• If you've attempted to download several times this may cause cache issues: please clear the cache for that page, then attempt to download again.
• Use a different browser: Often trying a different browser resolves most download issues.
• Consider using a download manager: these are free extensions that you can add to your browser, which help download larger files and ensure the download continues smoothly if there are any minor network interruptions.

Can’t find the downloaded file

• On your iPad, open your Files app and check the Downloads folder.
• Use the search icon (top right) and type in the file name.
• Tap on the Recent folder which includes your most recent file activity.
• Make sure you selected the Files app as the download location.

File won’t unzip

• Make sure the file has fully downloaded before opening it. You can check this by looking at the size of the .zip file – if it’s very small (for example, around 900 KB), the download may not have completed properly.

  If this happens, delete the file and download it again. Your account’s download area usually shows the correct file size, so compare it with your downloaded file and make sure they match closely before unzipping.

• Tap the .zip file once to extract it, if nothing happens restart your iPad and try again.
• If you've downloaded to a computer, double-click to automatically unzip or for Windows right-click the .zip file → Extract All… If your computer doesn’t automatically unzip files, you may need to install a free unzipping app. A quick online search will help you find a reliable option that works with your operating system

The folder is empty after unzipping

Make sure the file has fully downloaded before opening it. You can check this by looking at the size of the .zip file – if it’s very small (for example, around 900 KB), the download may not have completed properly.

If this happens, delete the file and download it again. Your account’s download area usually shows the correct file size, so compare it with your downloaded file and make sure they match closely before unzipping.

File won’t import into Procreate

• Double-check that the file has been unzipped (Procreate won’t import .zip files)
• Tap one file at a time to import one at a time.
• The file may have imported successfully, but you might be struggling to locate it within Procreate. Check the following locations based on the file type:
  • .procreate files → top of your Gallery
  • .brushset files → most recent Brush Library
  • .swatches files → bottom of your Palettes panel
• If the file doesn't open automatically in Procreate when you tap on it, try importing it manually from within the app. You'll find instructions on how to do that at the bottom of this article.
• If the file appears to import into Procreate but doesn’t show up when you check, restart your iPad and import the file again. This usually resolves the issue and helps the file import and appear in the correct location.

Brushset not showing up

• Procreate will import brushes into the last Brush Library you had open, which can sometimes be easy to forget. If you can’t see your brushes straight away, be sure to check all of your Brush Libraries, the brushes might be tucked into a different set than expected.
• Newly imported sets are usually placed at the top of your library, be sure to scroll all the way to the top.
• Make sure you tapped on the .brushset file and not the folder.

Still stuck?

If you’re still having trouble, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to help and we’ll get everything working for you as quickly as possible!