How to convert saved string file to texture2D without loss in quality?

Question

When converting a texture2D to string and then from string back to texture2D I've noticed a drop in quality and for the colours to be lighter.

My current setup (during play-mode) is as follows:

• Take screenshot of whatever object is in front of the camera
• Set the sprite of an image as the screenshot (screenshot appear fine here)
• Convert screenshot (texture2D) to string (this is so that it can be saved)
• Convert string back to texture2D
• Set the sprite of an image to the converted texture2D (this is were the image is appearing lighter and is of a lower quality)

Here is the code I am using for the conversion:

// Convert texture2D to string and return
public static string Texture2DToBase64(Texture2D texture)
{
    byte[] data = texture.EncodeToPNG();
    return Convert.ToBase64String(data);
}

// Convert string to texture2D and return
public static Texture2D Base64ToTexture2D(string encoded)
{
    byte[] data = Convert.FromBase64String(encoded);

    int width, height;
    GetImageSize(data, out width, out height);

    Texture2D texture = new Texture2D(width, height, TextureFormat.ARGB32, false, true);
    
    texture.hideFlags = HideFlags.HideAndDontSave;
    texture.filterMode = FilterMode.Point;
    texture.LoadImage(data);

    return texture;
}

static void GetImageSize(byte[] imageData, out int width, out int height)
{
    width = ReadInt(imageData, 3 + 15);
    height = ReadInt(imageData, 3 + 15 + 2 + 2);
}

static int ReadInt(byte[] imageData, int offset)
{
    return (imageData[offset] << 8) | imageData[offset + 1];
}

Here is an example of what a screenshot looks like before conversion:

Here is an example of the same screenshot after conversion:

how I can convert the screenshot (texture2D) to string and then back to texture2D without the quality of the image changing? (or if that is even possible)

Answer 1

Modifying the "linear" parameter in our Texture2D call to false fixed the issue for us:

Texture2D texture = new Texture2D(width, height, TextureFormat.ARGB32, false, false);