Quick answer: save the .brushset file to the Files app on your iPad, then tap it. Procreate opens and imports the set on its own. If the download is a .zip, tap the .zip in Files first to unzip it, then tap the .brushset inside. If tapping does nothing, use the share button and pick Procreate.
That covers most downloads. Below are the methods step by step, a troubleshooting table for the usual problems, and where the new brushes appear in your Brush Library.
.brush vs .brushset: Know Your File First
Procreate brushes come in two file types. A .brush file is one single brush. A .brushset file is a group of brushes that Procreate adds as its own set. Stamps are brushes too, so stamp packs use the same files. Sellers often wrap these files in a .zip archive, which Procreate cannot read until you unzip it.
Method 1: Tap the File in the Files App
This works for files you downloaded in Safari, saved from Mail, or received by AirDrop.
- Download the file. In Safari, tap the download link. iPadOS saves it to the Downloads folder in Files by default.
- Open the Files app and go to Downloads (or wherever you saved it, such as iCloud Drive).
- Tap the .brushset or .brush file. Procreate opens and imports it automatically, or shows a prompt to import it.
Method 2: Unzip a .zip Download First
Many brush packs arrive as a .zip file. Procreate will not import a .zip directly, so unzip it in Files.
- Open Files and find the .zip (usually in Downloads).
- Tap the .zip once. Files expands it into a folder with the same name.
- Open that folder and tap the .brushset (or each .brush file) to import it.
Method 3: Use the Share Sheet (or Import Inside Procreate)
If tapping the file only shows a preview, use the share button instead. In Files, touch and hold the file, tap Share, then choose Procreate in the row of apps. The same works from Mail attachments, Google Drive or Dropbox.
If Procreate is not in that row, scroll to the end and tap More, then Edit, tap the green + next to Procreate and tap Done. Procreate then stays in your share list. Exact labels can vary a little between iOS versions.
You can also start from inside Procreate. In the Brush Library, use the import option (Import from Files) and pick the file. The Procreate Handbook page on brush libraries describes this and the Files method.
On iPhone, Procreate Pocket uses the same idea: save the file to Files, then tap it or share it to Procreate Pocket.
Method 4: Download Sets in the Procreate Brushes & Stamps Hub App
Procreate Brushes & Stamps Hub is our app for iPhone and iPad. You download a brush or stamp set inside the app, then pick Procreate in the share sheet that opens, and the set is added to your library. The app has a step-by-step install guide, including the fix for a missing Procreate icon. It is not Procreate's official app and is not affiliated with Savage Interactive.
Where Do Imported Brushes Show Up?
Open any canvas and tap the brush icon to see the Brush Library. A .brushset appears as a new set at the top of your list of brush sets. A single .brush goes into a set called Imported at the bottom of the list.
Troubleshooting: Common Install Problems
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Procreate is not in the share list | Make sure Procreate is installed on this device. In the share sheet, tap More, then Edit, tap + next to Procreate, then Done. |
| The .zip won't open in Procreate | Procreate does not import .zip files. Tap the .zip in Files to unzip it, then tap the .brushset or .brush inside the new folder. |
| Tapping the file only shows a preview | Use Share and choose Procreate, or import from inside Procreate's Brush Library with Import from Files. |
| Brush imported but not visible | Open a canvas and the Brush Library. A .brushset is a new set at the top of the list; a single .brush is in the Imported set at the bottom. |
| File is .brush vs .brushset | A .brush is one brush, a .brushset is a whole set. Both import the same way; only where they appear differs. |
| Files says the file can't be opened | The download may be incomplete. Delete it and download it again over a stable connection, then retry. |
| Procreate shows an import error | Update Procreate from the App Store and try again. If it still fails, the file may be damaged; ask the seller for a fresh copy. |
| Brushes are on another device | Send the file by AirDrop or save it to iCloud Drive, then tap it on the iPad (or iPhone with Procreate Pocket). |
Organizing Your Brushes After Install
A few habits keep the Brush Library easy to use once you add more sets.
- Make your own sets. Pull the list of brush sets down until a + appears, tap it and name the set, for example "Inking" or "Texture".
- Move brushes. Touch and hold a brush, then drag it onto another set.
- Rename or delete. Tap a selected set again for Rename, Delete, Share and Duplicate. Swipe left on a single brush for its options.
- Back up paid sets. Use Share on a set to export it as a .brushset and save it to iCloud Drive.
Where to Get Brushes to Install
You can start with the free Procreate brushes on our site, which download as ready-to-tap .brushset files with no sign-up. For bigger sets, browse our Procreate brush packs and Procreate stamp packs, each sold as a direct download. New to brushes? Our guide to the best Procreate brushes for beginners helps you pick a first set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find imported brushes in Procreate?
Open a canvas and tap the brush icon. An imported .brushset appears as a new set at the top of your brush sets. A single .brush is placed in the Imported set at the bottom of the list.
Why won't my brush file open in Procreate?
Check the extension. Procreate imports .brush and .brushset files, not .zip archives, so unzip a .zip in Files first. Keeping Procreate updated also helps. If tapping the file only shows a preview, use Share and pick Procreate.
Can I install brushes from a computer to my iPad?
Yes. Move the .brushset to the iPad with AirDrop, iCloud Drive or another cloud drive, then tap it in the Files app or share it to Procreate.
Pick Sets in the Procreate Brushes & Stamps Hub App
Download a set, choose Procreate in the share sheet, and follow the in-app install guide if you get stuck. For iPhone and iPad.
Free to download on the App Store.
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