How to get image from resources in Laravel?
Stefan Izdrail
Founder & Senior Architect · 2026-06-29
Title: A Comprehensive Guide to Retrieving Images from Resources Folder in Laravel Applications
Introduction:
In web development, it's essential to properly organize and manage our application files, including images uploaded by users or generated by the system. In this blog post, we will explore how to efficiently get an image from the resources directory of a Laravel application. We will also learn about alternative approaches for storing user-uploaded files in your app.
Step 1: Store User Files in the Resources Folder
Using the resources folder of a Laravel app gives you access to assets without exposing them directly on the public URLs, making it more secure and organized. Consider the following directory structure:
resources/app/uploads/
Step 2: Retrieve Images with Full Path
Now that you have uploaded your images to a folder within the resources directory, accessing them using their full path is possible, but it involves an extra layer of complexity. You can use the route helper method `asset()` or `url()` to retrieve the full path:
http://localhost/
http://localhost/
The above paths can show the image in your application, but they are not ideal for security or scalability purposes.
Step 3: Upload Files to Public Directory
An alternative approach is to upload files to a public directory within the root of the application, which provides more flexibility and control over accessibility:
$destinationPath = public_path(sprintf("\\uploads\\%s\\", str_random(8)));
$uploaded = Storage::put($destinationPath. $fileName, file_get_contents($file->getRealPath()));
The above code uploads the image to the /public/uploads directory and stores it with a random name for security purposes. Using `Storage::put()` ensures that the file is stored in a secure manner.
Step 4: Retrieve Files from Public Directory
Once you have uploaded your files to the public directory, you can retrieve them using their relative path:
http://localhost/
This approach provides better security as it ensures that only authorized users with proper credentials can access the files. Additionally, it makes scaling your application easier because you do not need to modify any routes once the storage location changes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, organizing and managing uploaded files in a Laravel app is crucial for maintaining its security and scalability. By using the resources folder, you can achieve a more secure approach but with limited accessibility. If you want better flexibility and control over file access, consider uploading your files to the public directory. Regardless of your choice, remember that proper organization and management are essential for the long-term success and maintainability of your Laravel application.