diff --git a/Makefile.common b/Makefile.common
index 70bb13e305..42e466bbeb 100644
--- a/Makefile.common
+++ b/Makefile.common
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ ifneq ($(HAVE_STRL), 1)
    OBJ += $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/compat/compat_strl.o
 endif
 
-OBJ += $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.o \
+OBJ += $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.o $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.o \
        $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_scale.o \
        $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_set.o \
        $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image/image_yuv_blit.o
diff --git a/cores/libretro-imageviewer/image_core.c b/cores/libretro-imageviewer/image_core.c
index 9086d09894..2061f28bb7 100644
--- a/cores/libretro-imageviewer/image_core.c
+++ b/cores/libretro-imageviewer/image_core.c
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #include "stb_image.h"
 #else
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #endif
 
 #include <libretro.h>
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/ctr_gfx.c b/gfx/drivers/ctr_gfx.c
index 54731ddcfd..780e760886 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/ctr_gfx.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/ctr_gfx.c
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include <retro_math.h>
 #include <compat/strl.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 
 #ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
 #include "../../config.h"
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/d3d10.c b/gfx/drivers/d3d10.c
index 533beb7565..296be0f3ad 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/d3d10.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/d3d10.c
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include <encodings/utf.h>
 #include <lists/string_list.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 
 #include <dxgi.h>
 
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/d3d11.c b/gfx/drivers/d3d11.c
index 1654f054d8..4740625db3 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/d3d11.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/d3d11.c
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@
 #include <encodings/utf.h>
 #include <lists/string_list.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <formats/image_yuv_blit.h>
 #include "../common/video_import_color.h"
 
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/d3d12.c b/gfx/drivers/d3d12.c
index bb6ceec3bd..3da654575d 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/d3d12.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/d3d12.c
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 #include <encodings/utf.h>
 #include <lists/string_list.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <formats/image_yuv_blit.h>
 #include "../common/video_import_color.h"
 
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/d3d9cg.c b/gfx/drivers/d3d9cg.c
index 51d7587d0e..1f31f5f41a 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/d3d9cg.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/d3d9cg.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #define CINTERFACE
 
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <compat/strl.h>
 #include <compat/posix_string.h>
 #include <file/file_path.h>
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/d3d9hlsl.c b/gfx/drivers/d3d9hlsl.c
index 2799d5b397..0fae627d21 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/d3d9hlsl.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/d3d9hlsl.c
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #endif
 
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <compat/strl.h>
 #include <compat/posix_string.h>
 #include <file/file_path.h>
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/gl2.c b/gfx/drivers/gl2.c
index a34a4518c1..9f6baaa41d 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/gl2.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/gl2.c
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 #include <gfx/scaler/scaler.h>
 #include <gfx/math/matrix_4x4.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <retro_inline.h>
 #include <retro_miscellaneous.h>
 #include <retro_math.h>
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/gx2_gfx.c b/gfx/drivers/gx2_gfx.c
index ebc958b410..d07ca5478f 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/gx2_gfx.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/gx2_gfx.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 
 #include <encodings/utf.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <file/file_path.h>
 #include <string/stdstring.h>
 
diff --git a/gfx/drivers/metal.m b/gfx/drivers/metal.m
index 007795c312..fe9eeba49c 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/metal.m
+++ b/gfx/drivers/metal.m
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 #include <gfx/scaler/scaler.h>
 #include <gfx/video_frame.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <formats/image_yuv_blit.h>
 #include <retro_inline.h>
 #include <retro_miscellaneous.h>
diff --git a/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_gl3.c b/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_gl3.c
index 18b8ba4879..5631272918 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_gl3.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_gl3.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <compat/strl.h>
 #include <string/stdstring.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <retro_miscellaneous.h>
 
 #include "slang_process.h"
diff --git a/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_vulkan.c b/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_vulkan.c
index 5a47916230..7400bde46a 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_vulkan.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers_shader/shader_vulkan.c
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 #include <compat/strl.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <string/stdstring.h>
 #include <gfx/math/matrix_4x4.h>
 #include <retro_miscellaneous.h>
diff --git a/gfx/gfx_surface.c b/gfx/gfx_surface.c
index 797780a43f..9155664548 100644
--- a/gfx/gfx_surface.c
+++ b/gfx/gfx_surface.c
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include <retro_atomic.h>
 #include <retro_miscellaneous.h>
 #include <formats/image_yuv_blit.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 
 #include "gfx_surface.h"
 #include "gfx_instrument.h"
diff --git a/griffin/griffin.c b/griffin/griffin.c
index 3f2d404a14..f35a08f9d4 100644
--- a/griffin/griffin.c
+++ b/griffin/griffin.c
@@ -576,6 +576,7 @@ VIDEO IMAGE
 ============================================================ */
 
 #include "../libretro-common/formats/image_texture.c"
+#include "../libretro-common/streams/image_texture_file.c"
 #include "../libretro-common/formats/image/image_yuv_blit.c"
 #include "../libretro-common/formats/image_texture_scale.c"
 #include "../libretro-common/formats/image_texture_set.c"
diff --git a/libretro-common/formats/image_texture.c b/libretro-common/formats/image_texture.c
index 0151bc1922..f0ecb95145 100644
--- a/libretro-common/formats/image_texture.c
+++ b/libretro-common/formats/image_texture.c
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <boolean.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
 #include <formats/data_transfer.h>
-#include <streams/data_transfer_file.h>
 #ifdef HAVE_RPNG
 #include <formats/rpng.h>
 #endif
@@ -495,7 +494,7 @@ static void image_texture_clear(struct texture_image *img)
    img->fp16          = false;
 }
 
-static bool image_texture_load_buffer_probe(data_transfer_t *keep,
+bool image_texture_load_buffer_probe(data_transfer_t *keep,
       bool *kept, struct texture_image *out_img,
       enum image_type_enum type, const void *ptr, size_t len,
       const image_texture_request_t *req,
@@ -544,56 +543,6 @@ bool image_texture_load_buffer_request(struct texture_image *out_img,
          should_abort, abort_ud, NULL);
 }
 
-bool image_texture_load_request(struct texture_image *out_img,
-      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
-      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud)
-{
-   return image_texture_load_request_ex(out_img, path, req,
-         should_abort, ud, NULL);
-}
-
-bool image_texture_load_request_ex(struct texture_image *out_img,
-      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
-      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud, int *png_probe)
-{
-   enum image_type_enum type = image_texture_get_type(path);
-
-   if (png_probe)
-      *png_probe = -1;
-
-   if (type != IMAGE_TYPE_NONE)
-   {
-      /* The synchronous read rides the data_transfer prefix spine
-       * like every other loader: filestream/VFS routing (overlays
-       * and driver assets from archive members or content://
-       * documents), 64-bit lengths, the hardware guard behind the
-       * read, and honest short-read detection.  A zero budget fills
-       * to completion in one blocking call, which is this API's
-       * contract. */
-      struct data_transfer *dt = data_transfer_open_prefix(path, 0);
-      if (dt)
-      {
-         size_t file_len    = 0;
-         const uint8_t *ptr = NULL;
-         bool kept          = false;
-         bool loaded;
-
-         data_transfer_iterate(dt, 0);
-         ptr = data_transfer_ptr(dt, &file_len);
-         loaded = data_transfer_complete(dt) && ptr && file_len
-            && image_texture_load_buffer_probe(dt, &kept, out_img, type,
-                  ptr, file_len, req, should_abort, ud, png_probe);
-         if (!kept)
-            data_transfer_free(dt);
-         if (loaded)
-            return true;
-      }
-   }
-   if (out_img)
-      image_texture_clear(out_img);
-   return false;
-}
-
 /* The request the plain loads carry: the caller's image, whose
  * ->pix10 asks for 10-bit on the way in */
 static void image_texture_request_of(const struct texture_image *img,
@@ -605,10 +554,6 @@ static void image_texture_request_of(const struct texture_image *img,
    req->want_compressed = true;
 }
 
-bool image_texture_load(struct texture_image *out_img, const char *path)
-{
-   return image_texture_load_ex(out_img, path, NULL, NULL);
-}
 
 void image_texture_free(struct texture_image *img)
 {
@@ -828,11 +773,3 @@ bool image_texture_load_buffer(struct texture_image *out_img,
          buffer_len, &req, NULL, NULL);
 }
 
-bool image_texture_load_ex(struct texture_image *out_img,
-      const char *path, bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud)
-{
-   image_texture_request_t req;
-   image_texture_request_of(out_img, &req);
-   return image_texture_load_request(out_img, path, &req,
-         should_abort, ud);
-}
diff --git a/libretro-common/formats/image_texture_set.c b/libretro-common/formats/image_texture_set.c
index 460f6d8ad0..cdc00057d4 100644
--- a/libretro-common/formats/image_texture_set.c
+++ b/libretro-common/formats/image_texture_set.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <boolean.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
 #include <formats/data_transfer.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #ifdef HAVE_GCD
 #include <dispatch/dispatch.h>
 #elif defined(HAVE_THREADS)
diff --git a/libretro-common/include/formats/image.h b/libretro-common/include/formats/image.h
index 889ea8c2d8..e6354ed6bd 100644
--- a/libretro-common/include/formats/image.h
+++ b/libretro-common/include/formats/image.h
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@
 
 RETRO_BEGIN_DECLS
 
+struct data_transfer;
+
 enum image_process_code
 {
    IMAGE_PROCESS_ERROR     = -2,
@@ -344,24 +346,25 @@ bool image_texture_scale(struct texture_image *img,
 bool image_texture_load_buffer(struct texture_image *img,
    enum image_type_enum type, void *s, size_t len);
 
-/* The loader run to completion over a whole buffer or a file, with
- * @req naming what the caller takes (NULL: the ordinary image). The
- * abort hook is asked between steps; it may be NULL. False leaves
- * @img empty. */
+/* The loader run to completion over a whole buffer, with @req naming
+ * what the caller takes (NULL: the ordinary image). The abort hook is
+ * asked between steps; it may be NULL. False leaves @img empty. Loading
+ * by path - image_texture_load and the rest - is in
+ * <streams/image_texture_file.h>. */
 bool image_texture_load_buffer_request(struct texture_image *img,
       enum image_type_enum type, const void *buf, size_t len,
       const image_texture_request_t *req,
       bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud);
-bool image_texture_load_request(struct texture_image *img,
-      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
-      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud);
 
-/* image_texture_load_request answering, from the bytes it read, whether
- * the file is an animated PNG: 1 yes, 0 a still, -1 not a PNG or no
- * decode. Spares a caller that keeps an animation's bytes a second
- * read of every still to ask. @png_probe may be NULL. */
-bool image_texture_load_request_ex(struct texture_image *img,
-      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
+/* image_texture_load_buffer_request over bytes @keep, a data_transfer,
+ * holds: an image that can go on reading them (a compressed texture)
+ * takes @keep, frees it with itself and sets *@kept; *@png_probe, where
+ * not NULL, says whether the bytes are an animated PNG - 1 yes, 0 a
+ * still, -1 not a PNG or no decode. @keep and @kept may be NULL. */
+bool image_texture_load_buffer_probe(struct data_transfer *keep,
+      bool *kept, struct texture_image *img,
+      enum image_type_enum type, const void *buf, size_t len,
+      const image_texture_request_t *req,
       bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud, int *png_probe);
 
 /* Run @fn for every index below @n, across the cores at once where
@@ -382,27 +385,14 @@ void image_texture_set_run_ex(unsigned n,
       void (*thread_done)(void));
 
 /* Decode the @n files @paths name into @imgs together, each as
- * image_texture_load_request does with @req; a path that is NULL,
- * empty or unreadable leaves its image empty. Returns how many
- * decoded. In formats/image_texture_set.c. */
+ * image_texture_load_request (<streams/image_texture_file.h>) does with
+ * @req; a path that is NULL, empty or unreadable leaves its image
+ * empty. Returns how many decoded. In formats/image_texture_set.c. */
 unsigned image_texture_load_set(const char *const *paths,
       struct texture_image *imgs, unsigned n,
       const image_texture_request_t *req);
 
-/* ->pix10 is an ask on the way in and an answer on the way out: set
- * it before the call to have a decoder that can emit XRGB2101010 do
- * so, and read it after to find out whether it did. Clear on entry
- * means the ordinary 8-bit image, as before. */
-bool image_texture_load(struct texture_image *img, const char *path);
 
-/* image_texture_load with an abort hook: both decode stages are
- * incremental (one chunk / one pass per step) and @should_abort is
- * asked between steps; returning true abandons the decode, which then
- * fails cleanly. For decodes on worker threads that must stop promptly
- * at shutdown or when their result is no longer wanted. @should_abort
- * may be NULL. */
-bool image_texture_load_ex(struct texture_image *img, const char *path,
-      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud);
 void image_texture_free(struct texture_image *img);
 
 /* Force a CPU decode of a compressed texture_image into ->pixels (RGBA8).
diff --git a/libretro-common/include/streams/image_texture_file.h b/libretro-common/include/streams/image_texture_file.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..568c228a82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libretro-common/include/streams/image_texture_file.h
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+/* Copyright  (C) 2010-2026 The RetroArch team
+ *
+ * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * The following license statement only applies to this file (image_texture_file.h).
+ * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge,
+ * to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"),
+ * to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
+ * use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software,
+ * and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
+ * INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
+ * WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
+ * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+
+#ifndef __LIBRETRO_SDK_STREAMS_IMAGE_TEXTURE_FILE_H__
+#define __LIBRETRO_SDK_STREAMS_IMAGE_TEXTURE_FILE_H__
+
+#include <retro_common_api.h>
+#include <boolean.h>
+#include <formats/image.h>
+
+RETRO_BEGIN_DECLS
+
+/* Images loaded by path: the file read whole through
+ * data_transfer_open_prefix - filestream/VFS routing, so overlays and
+ * driver assets from archive members or content:// documents load like
+ * any other, 64-bit lengths, honest short reads - and decoded by
+ * image_texture_load_buffer_probe. */
+
+/* ->pix10 is an ask on the way in and an answer on the way out: set
+ * it before the call to have a decoder that can emit XRGB2101010 do
+ * so, and read it after to find out whether it did. Clear on entry
+ * means the ordinary 8-bit image, as before. */
+bool image_texture_load(struct texture_image *img, const char *path);
+
+/* image_texture_load with an abort hook: both decode stages are
+ * incremental (one chunk / one pass per step) and @should_abort is
+ * asked between steps; returning true abandons the decode, which then
+ * fails cleanly. For decodes on worker threads that must stop promptly
+ * at shutdown or when their result is no longer wanted. @should_abort
+ * may be NULL. */
+bool image_texture_load_ex(struct texture_image *img, const char *path,
+      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud);
+
+bool image_texture_load_request(struct texture_image *img,
+      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
+      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud);
+
+/* image_texture_load_request answering, from the bytes it read, whether
+ * the file is an animated PNG: 1 yes, 0 a still, -1 not a PNG or no
+ * decode. Spares a caller that keeps an animation's bytes a second
+ * read of every still to ask. @png_probe may be NULL. */
+bool image_texture_load_request_ex(struct texture_image *img,
+      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
+      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud, int *png_probe);
+
+RETRO_END_DECLS
+
+#endif
diff --git a/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/Makefile b/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/Makefile
index 46b50f44a7..81e7d567bb 100644
--- a/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/Makefile
+++ b/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/Makefile
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ SOURCES := image_loader_test.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path_io.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/data_transfer.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/dds/rdds.c \
-           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_scale.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_set.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
diff --git a/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/image_loader_test.c b/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/image_loader_test.c
index 3130d81dbd..ecb9b6615a 100644
--- a/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/image_loader_test.c
+++ b/libretro-common/samples/formats/image_loader/image_loader_test.c
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include <boolean.h>
 #include <encodings/crc32.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 
 #define W 24
 #define H 16
diff --git a/libretro-common/streams/image_texture_file.c b/libretro-common/streams/image_texture_file.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..19978b0647
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libretro-common/streams/image_texture_file.c
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+/* Copyright  (C) 2010-2026 The RetroArch team
+ *
+ * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * The following license statement only applies to this file (image_texture_file.c).
+ * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge,
+ * to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"),
+ * to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
+ * use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software,
+ * and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
+ * INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
+ * WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
+ * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+
+/* The path side of image loading: formats/image_texture.c decodes the
+ * bytes it is given, and this reads them from the file. */
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <formats/image.h>
+#include <formats/data_transfer.h>
+#include <streams/data_transfer_file.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
+
+bool image_texture_load_request(struct texture_image *out_img,
+      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
+      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud)
+{
+   return image_texture_load_request_ex(out_img, path, req,
+         should_abort, ud, NULL);
+}
+
+bool image_texture_load_request_ex(struct texture_image *out_img,
+      const char *path, const image_texture_request_t *req,
+      bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud, int *png_probe)
+{
+   enum image_type_enum type = image_texture_get_type(path);
+
+   if (png_probe)
+      *png_probe = -1;
+
+   if (type != IMAGE_TYPE_NONE)
+   {
+      /* A zero budget fills to completion in one blocking call, which
+       * is this API's contract */
+      struct data_transfer *dt = data_transfer_open_prefix(path, 0);
+      if (dt)
+      {
+         size_t file_len    = 0;
+         const uint8_t *ptr = NULL;
+         bool kept          = false;
+         bool loaded;
+
+         data_transfer_iterate(dt, 0);
+         ptr = data_transfer_ptr(dt, &file_len);
+         loaded = data_transfer_complete(dt) && ptr && file_len
+            && image_texture_load_buffer_probe(dt, &kept, out_img, type,
+                  ptr, file_len, req, should_abort, ud, png_probe);
+         if (!kept)
+            data_transfer_free(dt);
+         if (loaded)
+            return true;
+      }
+   }
+   /* nothing to decode leaves the image empty */
+   if (out_img)
+      image_texture_load_buffer_probe(NULL, NULL, out_img, type, NULL, 0,
+            req, NULL, NULL, NULL);
+   return false;
+}
+
+
+bool image_texture_load_ex(struct texture_image *out_img,
+      const char *path, bool (*should_abort)(void *ud), void *ud)
+{
+   image_texture_request_t req;
+   req.rgba            = out_img->supports_rgba;
+   req.want_10bit      = out_img->pix10;
+   req.want_fp16       = false;
+   req.want_compressed = true;
+   return image_texture_load_request(out_img, path, &req,
+         should_abort, ud);
+}
+
+bool image_texture_load(struct texture_image *out_img, const char *path)
+{
+   return image_texture_load_ex(out_img, path, NULL, NULL);
+}
diff --git a/samples/formats/image_avail/Makefile b/samples/formats/image_avail/Makefile
index 20f4118c6d..552c79665a 100644
--- a/samples/formats/image_avail/Makefile
+++ b/samples/formats/image_avail/Makefile
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ SOURCES := image_avail_test.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/png/rpng_apng.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/jpeg/rjpeg.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
-           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image/image_hdr_blit.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/data_transfer.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/encodings/encoding_deflate.c \
diff --git a/samples/formats/video_hdr_fp16/Makefile b/samples/formats/video_hdr_fp16/Makefile
index 77fbafd064..e994bff193 100644
--- a/samples/formats/video_hdr_fp16/Makefile
+++ b/samples/formats/video_hdr_fp16/Makefile
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ SOURCES := video_hdr_fp16_test.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path_io.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/data_transfer.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
-	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image/image_hdr_blit.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image/image_blit_bands.c \
diff --git a/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_anim/Makefile b/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_anim/Makefile
index ce2b27e094..d4c00bb17b 100644
--- a/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_anim/Makefile
+++ b/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_anim/Makefile
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ SOURCES := gfx_thumbnail_anim_test.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path_io.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/data_transfer.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
-           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image/image_yuv_blit.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_set.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
diff --git a/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_preview/Makefile b/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_preview/Makefile
index 7e4aa17c29..7c2ae0e448 100644
--- a/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_preview/Makefile
+++ b/samples/gfx/gfx_thumbnail_preview/Makefile
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ SOURCES := gfx_thumbnail_preview_test.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/audio_transfer.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/data_transfer.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
-           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image/image_yuv_blit.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_set.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ ANIM_WINDOW_SOURCES := preview_anim_window_test.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path_io.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/data_transfer.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
-           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/png/rpng.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/png/rpng_apng.c \
diff --git a/samples/gfx/gl2_pbo_readback/stubs.c b/samples/gfx/gl2_pbo_readback/stubs.c
index e5107b0833..b31222b7b0 100644
--- a/samples/gfx/gl2_pbo_readback/stubs.c
+++ b/samples/gfx/gl2_pbo_readback/stubs.c
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include "../../../gfx/drivers_shader/shader_glsl.h"
 #include "../../../menu/menu_driver.h"
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <glsym/glsym.h>
 
 void RARCH_LOG(const char *fmt, ...)  { va_list ap; va_start(ap, fmt); printf("      [log] "); vprintf(fmt, ap); va_end(ap); }
diff --git a/samples/gfx/gl2_window_ui/stubs.c b/samples/gfx/gl2_window_ui/stubs.c
index b67c5f1062..a3a6f64ee1 100644
--- a/samples/gfx/gl2_window_ui/stubs.c
+++ b/samples/gfx/gl2_window_ui/stubs.c
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include "../../../gfx/drivers_shader/shader_glsl.h"
 #include "../../../menu/menu_driver.h"
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <glsym/glsym.h>
 
 void RARCH_LOG(const char *fmt, ...)  { va_list ap; va_start(ap, fmt); printf("      [log] "); vprintf(fmt, ap); va_end(ap); }
diff --git a/samples/gfx/overlay_apng/Makefile b/samples/gfx/overlay_apng/Makefile
index 3c1d042d33..9efa728b98 100644
--- a/samples/gfx/overlay_apng/Makefile
+++ b/samples/gfx/overlay_apng/Makefile
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ SOURCES := \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/features/features_cpu.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path_io.c \
-	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_set.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/png/rpng.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/png/rpng_apng.c \
diff --git a/samples/input/overlay_textures/Makefile b/samples/input/overlay_textures/Makefile
index be09c06464..b70a813abb 100644
--- a/samples/input/overlay_textures/Makefile
+++ b/samples/input/overlay_textures/Makefile
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ SOURCES := \
 	$(REPO_ROOT)/gfx/gfx_surface_player.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/video_player.c \
 	$(REPO_ROOT)/libretro-common/formats/image/image_yuv_blit.c \
-	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_set.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
 	$(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/dds/rdds.c \
diff --git a/samples/tasks/image_decode_slice/Makefile b/samples/tasks/image_decode_slice/Makefile
index 0648273eff..ae46e52131 100644
--- a/samples/tasks/image_decode_slice/Makefile
+++ b/samples/tasks/image_decode_slice/Makefile
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ SOURCES := image_decode_slice_test.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/file/file_path_io.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/data_transfer.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
-           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c \
+           $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture.c $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/streams/image_texture_file.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_scale.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_texture_set.c \
            $(LIBRETRO_COMM_DIR)/formats/image_transfer.c \
diff --git a/samples/ui/companion_thumbs_handoff/companion_thumbs_test.c b/samples/ui/companion_thumbs_handoff/companion_thumbs_test.c
index d8716ab9c3..70c331b2be 100644
--- a/samples/ui/companion_thumbs_handoff/companion_thumbs_test.c
+++ b/samples/ui/companion_thumbs_handoff/companion_thumbs_test.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include <boolean.h>
 #include <retro_atomic.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <features/features_cpu.h>
 #include <rthreads/rthreads.h>
 
diff --git a/tasks/task_overlay.c b/tasks/task_overlay.c
index dd5a6d118d..90af7862b3 100644
--- a/tasks/task_overlay.c
+++ b/tasks/task_overlay.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #endif
 #include <formats/data_transfer.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <features/features_cpu.h>
 #include <queues/task_queue.h>
 #include <streams/file_stream.h>
diff --git a/tools/companion_cocoa_test.sh b/tools/companion_cocoa_test.sh
index 8dc2d12781..1fca1b1480 100755
--- a/tools/companion_cocoa_test.sh
+++ b/tools/companion_cocoa_test.sh
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ CSRCS="ui/companion/companion_core.c \
        ui/companion/test/companion_core_stubs.c \
        ui/companion/test/companion_core_test.c \
        playlist.c core_option_manager.c $LC/lists/nested_list.c $LC/file/config_file_io.c \
-       $LC/formats/json/rjson.c $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
+       $LC/formats/json/rjson.c $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/streams/image_texture_file.c $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
        $LC/formats/video_player.c \
        $LC/formats/data_transfer.c $LC/streams/data_transfer_file.c $LC/formats/png/rpng.c $LC/formats/png/rpng_apng.c \
        $LC/formats/png/rpng_encode.c $LC/file/rpng_file.c $LC/formats/tga/rtga.c $LC/memmap/memmap.c $LC/memory/mem_stats.c \
diff --git a/tools/companion_cocoa_test_macos.sh b/tools/companion_cocoa_test_macos.sh
index 305fb96182..43653eb635 100755
--- a/tools/companion_cocoa_test_macos.sh
+++ b/tools/companion_cocoa_test_macos.sh
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ CSRCS="ui/companion/companion_core.c \
        ui/companion/test/companion_core_stubs.c \
        ui/companion/test/companion_core_test.c \
        playlist.c core_option_manager.c $LC/lists/nested_list.c $LC/file/config_file_io.c \
-       $LC/formats/json/rjson.c $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
+       $LC/formats/json/rjson.c $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/streams/image_texture_file.c $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
        $LC/formats/video_player.c \
        $LC/formats/data_transfer.c $LC/streams/data_transfer_file.c $LC/formats/png/rpng.c $LC/formats/png/rpng_apng.c \
        $LC/formats/png/rpng_encode.c $LC/file/rpng_file.c $LC/formats/tga/rtga.c $LC/memmap/memmap.c $LC/memory/mem_stats.c \
diff --git a/tools/companion_core_test.sh b/tools/companion_core_test.sh
index c6719dadaa..4ad0174670 100755
--- a/tools/companion_core_test.sh
+++ b/tools/companion_core_test.sh
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ SRCS="ui/companion/companion_core.c \
       core_option_manager.c \
       $LC/lists/nested_list.c \
       $LC/formats/json/rjson.c \
-      $LC/formats/image_texture.c \
+      $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/streams/image_texture_file.c \
       $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
       $LC/formats/video_player.c \
       $LC/formats/data_transfer.c $LC/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
diff --git a/tools/companion_thumbs_test.sh b/tools/companion_thumbs_test.sh
index 0f5a3017af..17ff2e1f5c 100755
--- a/tools/companion_thumbs_test.sh
+++ b/tools/companion_thumbs_test.sh
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ SRCS="ui/companion/companion_thumbs.c \
       $LC/formats/image/image_blit_bands.c \
       $LC/memory/mem_stats.c \
       ui/companion/test/companion_thumbs_test.c \
-      $LC/formats/image_texture.c \
+      $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/streams/image_texture_file.c \
       $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
       $LC/formats/video_player.c \
       $LC/formats/data_transfer.c $LC/streams/data_transfer_file.c \
diff --git a/tools/companion_win32_test.sh b/tools/companion_win32_test.sh
index 33c9d3cae3..116684dec4 100755
--- a/tools/companion_win32_test.sh
+++ b/tools/companion_win32_test.sh
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ CSRCS="ui/companion/companion_core.c \
        ui/companion/test/companion_core_stubs.c \
        ui/companion/test/companion_core_test.c \
        playlist.c core_option_manager.c $LC/lists/nested_list.c $LC/file/config_file_io.c \
-       $LC/formats/json/rjson.c $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
+       $LC/formats/json/rjson.c $LC/formats/image_texture.c $LC/streams/image_texture_file.c $LC/formats/image_transfer.c \
        $LC/formats/video_player.c \
        $LC/formats/data_transfer.c $LC/streams/data_transfer_file.c $LC/formats/png/rpng.c $LC/formats/png/rpng_apng.c \
        $LC/formats/png/rpng_encode.c $LC/file/rpng_file.c $LC/formats/tga/rtga.c $LC/memmap/memmap.c $LC/memory/mem_stats.c \
diff --git a/ui/companion/companion_core.c b/ui/companion/companion_core.c
index 1e0c3a93fe..2060453056 100644
--- a/ui/companion/companion_core.c
+++ b/ui/companion/companion_core.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include <file/archive_file.h>
 #include <file/file_path.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <lists/dir_list.h>
 #include <lists/string_list.h>
 #include <streams/file_stream.h>
diff --git a/ui/companion/companion_thumbs.c b/ui/companion/companion_thumbs.c
index 4abaee0d0c..6c76fcb9b8 100644
--- a/ui/companion/companion_thumbs.c
+++ b/ui/companion/companion_thumbs.c
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include <compat/strl.h>
 #include <string/stdstring.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <formats/data_transfer.h>
 #include <streams/file_stream.h>
 #include <time.h>          /* struct timespec, for retro_timers.h */
diff --git a/ui/companion/test/companion_core_test.c b/ui/companion/test/companion_core_test.c
index 896e1b5371..eb09d71340 100644
--- a/ui/companion/test/companion_core_test.c
+++ b/ui/companion/test/companion_core_test.c
@@ -122,6 +122,7 @@ static void writef(const char *path, const char *text)
 }
 
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 static void write_tga_rgba(const char *path, unsigned w, unsigned h, uint32_t argb)
 {
    FILE *f = fopen(path, "wb");
diff --git a/ui/drivers/ui_win32_companion.c b/ui/drivers/ui_win32_companion.c
index b05b7181d2..cf94c06871 100644
--- a/ui/drivers/ui_win32_companion.c
+++ b/ui/drivers/ui_win32_companion.c
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
 #include <features/features_cpu.h>
 #include <file/file_path.h>
 #include <formats/image.h>
+#include <streams/image_texture_file.h>
 #include <lists/string_list.h>
 #include <compat/msvc.h>
 #include <string/stdstring.h>