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PKG DMG
File conversion

Convert PKG to DMG

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 30, 2026
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Is it possible to convert PKG to DMG?
Yes - PKG converts to DMG.

Extract the app or files from the .pkg with Pacifist without running the installer, then create a .dmg from that folder using Disk Utility's File > New Image > Image from Folder. The result is a disk image containing the extracted files, not a functioning installer.

Also to DMG: SPARSEBUNDLE · MPKG · GI

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert PKG to DMG?

Most people do this to repackage software as a drag-to-Applications disk image instead of an installer, or to archive the installed files in a mountable image without running the full installer on the target machine. The .pkg stays intact; only the files are extracted for re-wrapping.

How to convert PKG to DMG

Pacifist APP

Open the .pkg in Pacifist, select the files or app bundle, click Extract to and save to a staging folder, then use Disk Utility's File > New Image > Image from Folder to create a .dmg from that folder.

Disk Utility FREE

After extracting the .pkg contents to a folder via Pacifist or command-line tools, use File > New Image > Image from Folder in Disk Utility to produce a compressed .dmg.

About these formats

.PKG macOS Installer Package

A PKG file is a macOS Installer package - it installs software on a Mac. Double-click it to run Apple's Installer app, which will walk you through setup (admin password usually required).…

Open .PKG details →
.DMG Apple Disk Image

A DMG file is an Apple disk image - the standard container for distributing Mac applications. On a Mac, double-click it to mount the image, then drag the app to your Applications folder. On…

Open .DMG details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Install scripts (preinstall, postinstall) from the .pkg do not run when you extract files directly - apps that require system-level changes, license registration, or helper tools may not work correctly.
  • The Bill of Materials (BOM) inside the .pkg records exact target paths, permissions, and ownership for every installed file; that information is lost when bypassing the installer.
  • A .dmg is a mountable disk image for file distribution, not an installer - it cannot run scripts or manage permissions the way a .pkg does.

Frequently asked questions

Why convert PKG to DMG instead of just running the installer?
The main reason is to distribute the app as a drag-to-Applications disk image or to archive the installed files without running the .pkg installer on the target machine.
Will the app work correctly if extracted from a `.pkg` and placed in a `.dmg`?
Only if the app does not rely on post-install scripts - drivers, daemons, and apps that patch system files may not function without the installer running.
What command-line tools can do this on macOS?
Use xar -xf file.pkg to unpack the XAR, cat Payload | gunzip | cpio -id to extract the files, then hdiutil create to produce the .dmg.
Should I use DMG or ISO for distributing macOS software?
Always use .dmg - it is the native macOS disk image format. ISO is for optical disc images and is rarely the right format for macOS software distribution.