The most direct way depends on whether the game stores files you can access
Most games keep their image files in folders on your computer or phone, but whether you can reach them depends on the game's design and your device. Some games store pictures in plain formats like PNG or JPG in a standard folder — you can copy these directly. Others pack images into compressed archives or encrypted containers that require unpacking tools. Mobile games are harder because the operating system restricts access to app folders, though workarounds exist for Android.
The fastest approach is to check whether the game's installation folder contains an obvious "assets" or "images" directory. If it does, you may be able to browse there and copy files. If not, you will need to use extraction software designed for game files, which can unpack the game's data containers and convert proprietary formats back into standard image files.
Key Takeaways
- PC games often store images in accessible folders within the game directory, which you can find by right-clicking the game in Steam or your file manager and selecting "Show in folder".
- Game image files are sometimes packed into archives with extensions like .pak, .zip, or .bundle — tools like QuickBMS or Umodel can unpack these without damaging the game.
- Mobile games on Android can be extracted by copying the app folder from your device to a computer, but iOS games are much harder because Apple encrypts app data.
- Some games use proprietary image formats that require conversion tools to turn into standard PNG or JPG files you can open in any image viewer.
- Extracting images for personal use is generally legal, but using them commercially or redistributing them may violate the game's license agreement.
Finding image files in your game's installation folder
On Windows, locate the game folder by opening Steam, right-clicking the game title, selecting Properties, then Local Files, then Browse. This opens the folder where the game is installed. Look for subdirectories named "assets", "images", "textures", "sprites", or "data". If you find one, open it — you may see PNG, JPG, or TGA files you can copy directly to another folder.
If the folder contains only executable files and no obvious image directories, the images are likely packed into container files. Check for files with extensions like .pak, .zip, .bundle, .wad, or .dat. These are compressed archives holding multiple game resources. Do not delete or move these files, as the game needs them to run — instead, use extraction software to copy images out while leaving the originals untouched.
On Mac, the process is similar: right-click the game in Steam, select Show in Finder, then look for a Contents folder. Game files on Mac often sit inside Contents/Resources or Contents/MacOS. The same folder names (assets, images, textures) apply.
Using extraction tools for packed game files
QuickBMS is a free tool that can unpack many game archive formats automatically. Download it, then drag a .pak or .dat file onto the QuickBMS window. It will ask you to select a script file matching your game — the QuickBMS website maintains a database of scripts for hundreds of games. If a script exists for your game, QuickBMS unpacks the archive into a folder of readable files. If not, you may need to research whether a community script exists on forums like Zenhax or Game Modding.
Umodel (also called UE Viewer) works specifically on games built with Unreal Engine, which includes many commercial titles. It opens .pak files and displays textures, models, and animations in a preview window. You can export images directly as PNG or TGA files. Umodel is free and does not require scripts — it recognizes Unreal Engine formats automatically.
Fmodel is a newer tool for Unreal Engine games that works similarly to Umodel but with a more modern interface. It can also handle some Fortnite and other Epic Games titles. Like Umodel, it requires no configuration — point it at the game folder and it displays available assets.
For games using other engines, search the game's name plus "file format" or "extraction tool" on modding communities like Nexus Mods or Game Modding. Dedicated tools often exist for popular games, and community members usually document which tool works best.
Extracting images from Android games
Android games store their files in a folder you can access if you enable USB debugging on your phone. Connect your phone to a computer via USB, then use Android File Transfer (Mac) or adb (Android Debug Bridge, on Windows or Linux) to browse to /data/data/[game package name]/. Copy the entire app folder to your computer.
Once the folder is on your computer, look for subdirectories named "assets", "cache", or "files". Image files may be in plain PNG format or in proprietary containers. If you find .zip or .pak files, use QuickBMS or Umodel as described above. Some Android games also store images in a "resources.arsc" file, which requires specialized tools like APKTOOL to extract.
Alternatively, you can extract the game's APK file directly without connecting a phone. APK files are ZIP archives — rename the .apk to .zip, open it with any archive tool, and browse the "assets" folder inside. This works for any Android game you have downloaded, though some games encrypt their assets, making this method less useful.
Converting proprietary image formats to standard files
Some games store images in formats like .dds (DirectDraw Surface), .tga (Targa), or engine-specific formats that standard image viewers cannot open. Once you have extracted these files, you need a converter to turn them into PNG or JPG.
XnConvert is a free batch converter that handles DDS, TGA, and many other formats. Open it, drag your extracted image files into the window, select PNG or JPG as the output format, and click Convert. It processes all files at once, which is faster than converting one by one.
IrfanView (Windows only) is a lightweight image viewer that opens DDS and TGA files. Open a file, then use File > Save As to export it as PNG or JPG. It is free for personal use.
For engine-specific formats, research the game's engine — Unreal Engine games often use .uasset files, which Umodel and Fmodel can convert directly to PNG without a separate step. Unity games may use .asset files, which require tools like UABE (Unity Asset Bundle Extractor).
Understanding legal and technical limits
Extracting images for personal use — to study art style, create fan content, or back up game files — is generally considered fair use in most jurisdictions. However, the game's license agreement may restrict what you can do with extracted files. Redistributing images online, selling them, or using them commercially usually violates the license, even if extraction itself is legal.
Some games use anti-tampering measures that make extraction difficult or impossible. Games with always-online DRM (Digital Rights Management) may stream assets rather than storing them locally, so there is nothing to extract. Others encrypt their files or use obfuscation techniques that require reverse-engineering to unpack. If a game uses these protections, extraction tools may not work, and attempting to bypass them could violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the United States, even for personal use.
Before extracting, check whether the game developer has released official art books, concept art, or asset packs. Many studios publish these materials legally, and they are higher quality than extracted in-game textures.
Troubleshooting common extraction problems
If QuickBMS or Umodel opens a file but shows no images, the game may use a format the tool does not recognize. Try searching the game's name on modding forums — someone may have already documented the correct tool or script. If a script exists but QuickBMS fails to run it, the game version may have changed the file format. Download the latest version of QuickBMS and check whether newer scripts are available.
If you extract files but they appear corrupted or display as solid colors, the images may be compressed in a format the tool did not fully decompress. Try a different extraction tool — Umodel sometimes succeeds where QuickBMS fails, and vice versa. If the image file is a .dds or .tga, try converting it with XnConvert or IrfanView, as the extraction tool may have output the file correctly but in a format your default viewer cannot display.
On mobile, if you cannot find the app folder using Android File Transfer, enable USB debugging in Developer Options (tap Build Number seven times in Settings > About Phone), then use adb from the command line: adb shell pm path [package name] will show the exact path. If the folder is empty or missing, the game may store assets in the cloud or in a separate cache folder at /data/data/[package name]/cache/.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extract images from games on my phone without a computer?
On Android, apps like ZArchiver or Solid Explorer can open APK files directly on your phone and let you browse the assets folder. You can copy extracted images to your phone's gallery. On iOS, this is not possible — Apple restricts access to app files, and no tool can extract them without jailbreaking, which voids your warranty.
What if the extraction tool says it needs a script I cannot find?
Search the game's name on Zenhax, Game Modding, or Nexus Mods — community members often write scripts for popular games. If no script exists, try Umodel or Fmodel instead, which work without scripts for Unreal Engine games. For other engines, you may need to wait for someone in the modding community to reverse-engineer the format.
Will extracting images slow down or damage my game?
No. Extraction tools only read files — they do not modify or delete anything. The game will run normally. However, do not move or delete the original game folders or archive files, as the game needs them to launch.
Can I use extracted images in my own game or artwork?
Using extracted images in fan art or personal projects is usually acceptable, but selling them, publishing them online, or including them in a commercial product violates the game's license. Check the developer's fan content policy — some studios explicitly allow fan art, while others do not.
Why does the extraction tool show files but no images?
The tool may have unpacked the archive but not decompressed the image data inside. Try opening the extracted files with a different viewer or converter. If files have extensions like .dds or .tga, use XnConvert to convert them to PNG. If the tool shows only metadata files and no image files, the game may store textures in a format the tool does not support — try a different extraction tool designed for that game.