diff --git a/qapi/block-core.json b/qapi/block-core.json
index 2303266bc4..e6faa94fa2 100644
--- a/qapi/block-core.json
+++ b/qapi/block-core.json
@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@
 #
 # @compat: compatibility level
 #
+# @data-file: the filename of the external data file that is stored in the
+#             image and used as a default for opening the image (since: 4.0)
+#
 # @lazy-refcounts: on or off; only valid for compat >= 1.1
 #
 # @corrupt: true if the image has been marked corrupt; only valid for
@@ -76,6 +79,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'ImageInfoSpecificQCow2',
   'data': {
       'compat': 'str',
+      '*data-file': 'str',
       '*lazy-refcounts': 'bool',
       '*corrupt': 'bool',
       'refcount-bits': 'int',
@@ -3082,7 +3086,9 @@
 #
 # @data-file:             reference to or definition of the external data file.
 #                         This may only be specified for images that require an
-#                         external data file. (since 4.0)
+#                         external data file. If it is not specified for such
+#                         an image, the data file name is loaded from the image
+#                         file. (since 4.0)
 #
 # Since: 2.9
 ##
diff --git a/block/qcow2.h b/block/qcow2.h
index f23c003a46..a9c9cb4a26 100644
--- a/block/qcow2.h
+++ b/block/qcow2.h
@@ -343,6 +343,7 @@ typedef struct BDRVQcow2State {
      * override) */
     char *image_backing_file;
     char *image_backing_format;
+    char *image_data_file;
 
     CoQueue compress_wait_queue;
     int nb_compress_threads;
diff --git a/block/qcow2.c b/block/qcow2.c
index a6144689ea..24c023e13d 100644
--- a/block/qcow2.c
+++ b/block/qcow2.c
@@ -398,6 +398,21 @@ static int qcow2_read_extensions(BlockDriverState *bs, uint64_t start_offset,
 #endif
             break;
 
+        case QCOW2_EXT_MAGIC_DATA_FILE:
+        {
+            s->image_data_file = g_malloc0(ext.len + 1);
+            ret = bdrv_pread(bs->file, offset, s->image_data_file, ext.len);
+            if (ret < 0) {
+                error_setg_errno(errp, -ret,
+                                 "ERROR: Could not read data file name");
+                return ret;
+            }
+#ifdef DEBUG_EXT
+            printf("Qcow2: Got external data file %s\n", s->image_data_file);
+#endif
+            break;
+        }
+
         default:
             /* unknown magic - save it in case we need to rewrite the header */
             /* If you add a new feature, make sure to also update the fast
@@ -1451,6 +1466,15 @@ static int coroutine_fn qcow2_do_open(BlockDriverState *bs, QDict *options,
     }
 
     if (s->incompatible_features & QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DATA_FILE) {
+        if (!s->data_file && s->image_data_file) {
+            s->data_file = bdrv_open_child(s->image_data_file, options,
+                                           "data-file", bs, &child_file,
+                                           false, errp);
+            if (!s->data_file) {
+                ret = -EINVAL;
+                goto fail;
+            }
+        }
         if (!s->data_file) {
             error_setg(errp, "'data-file' is required for this image");
             ret = -EINVAL;
@@ -1638,6 +1662,7 @@ static int coroutine_fn qcow2_do_open(BlockDriverState *bs, QDict *options,
     return ret;
 
  fail:
+    g_free(s->image_data_file);
     if (has_data_file(bs)) {
         bdrv_unref_child(bs, s->data_file);
     }
@@ -2257,6 +2282,7 @@ static void qcow2_close(BlockDriverState *bs)
     g_free(s->unknown_header_fields);
     cleanup_unknown_header_ext(bs);
 
+    g_free(s->image_data_file);
     g_free(s->image_backing_file);
     g_free(s->image_backing_format);
 
@@ -2433,6 +2459,19 @@ int qcow2_update_header(BlockDriverState *bs)
         buflen -= ret;
     }
 
+    /* External data file header extension */
+    if (has_data_file(bs) && s->image_data_file) {
+        ret = header_ext_add(buf, QCOW2_EXT_MAGIC_DATA_FILE,
+                             s->image_data_file, strlen(s->image_data_file),
+                             buflen);
+        if (ret < 0) {
+            goto fail;
+        }
+
+        buf += ret;
+        buflen -= ret;
+    }
+
     /* Full disk encryption header pointer extension */
     if (s->crypto_header.offset != 0) {
         s->crypto_header.offset = cpu_to_be64(s->crypto_header.offset);
@@ -3074,6 +3113,12 @@ qcow2_co_create(BlockdevCreateOptions *create_options, Error **errp)
         abort();
     }
 
+    /* Set the external data file if necessary */
+    if (data_bs) {
+        BDRVQcow2State *s = blk_bs(blk)->opaque;
+        s->image_data_file = g_strdup(data_bs->filename);
+    }
+
     /* Create a full header (including things like feature table) */
     ret = qcow2_update_header(blk_bs(blk));
     if (ret < 0) {
@@ -3153,6 +3198,7 @@ static int coroutine_fn qcow2_co_create_opts(const char *filename, QemuOpts *opt
     QDict *qdict;
     Visitor *v;
     BlockDriverState *bs = NULL;
+    BlockDriverState *data_bs = NULL;
     Error *local_err = NULL;
     const char *val;
     int ret;
@@ -3216,6 +3262,26 @@ static int coroutine_fn qcow2_co_create_opts(const char *filename, QemuOpts *opt
         goto finish;
     }
 
+    /* Create and open an external data file (protocol layer) */
+    val = qdict_get_try_str(qdict, BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE);
+    if (val) {
+        ret = bdrv_create_file(val, opts, errp);
+        if (ret < 0) {
+            goto finish;
+        }
+
+        data_bs = bdrv_open(val, NULL, NULL,
+                            BDRV_O_RDWR | BDRV_O_RESIZE | BDRV_O_PROTOCOL,
+                            errp);
+        if (data_bs == NULL) {
+            ret = -EIO;
+            goto finish;
+        }
+
+        qdict_del(qdict, BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE);
+        qdict_put_str(qdict, "data-file", data_bs->node_name);
+    }
+
     /* Set 'driver' and 'node' options */
     qdict_put_str(qdict, "driver", "qcow2");
     qdict_put_str(qdict, "file", bs->node_name);
@@ -3250,6 +3316,7 @@ static int coroutine_fn qcow2_co_create_opts(const char *filename, QemuOpts *opt
 finish:
     qobject_unref(qdict);
     bdrv_unref(bs);
+    bdrv_unref(data_bs);
     qapi_free_BlockdevCreateOptions(create_options);
     return ret;
 }
@@ -4548,6 +4615,8 @@ static ImageInfoSpecific *qcow2_get_specific_info(BlockDriverState *bs,
             .refcount_bits      = s->refcount_bits,
             .has_bitmaps        = !!bitmaps,
             .bitmaps            = bitmaps,
+            .has_data_file      = !!s->image_data_file,
+            .data_file          = g_strdup(s->image_data_file),
         };
     } else {
         /* if this assertion fails, this probably means a new version was
@@ -4750,7 +4819,7 @@ static int qcow2_amend_options(BlockDriverState *bs, QemuOpts *opts,
     BDRVQcow2State *s = bs->opaque;
     int old_version = s->qcow_version, new_version = old_version;
     uint64_t new_size = 0;
-    const char *backing_file = NULL, *backing_format = NULL;
+    const char *backing_file = NULL, *backing_format = NULL, *data_file = NULL;
     bool lazy_refcounts = s->use_lazy_refcounts;
     const char *compat = NULL;
     uint64_t cluster_size = s->cluster_size;
@@ -4832,6 +4901,13 @@ static int qcow2_amend_options(BlockDriverState *bs, QemuOpts *opts,
                            "may not exceed 64 bits");
                 return -EINVAL;
             }
+        } else if (!strcmp(desc->name, BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE)) {
+            data_file = qemu_opt_get(opts, BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE);
+            if (data_file && !has_data_file(bs)) {
+                error_setg(errp, "data-file can only be set for images that "
+                                 "use an external data file");
+                return -EINVAL;
+            }
         } else {
             /* if this point is reached, this probably means a new option was
              * added without having it covered here */
@@ -4878,6 +4954,17 @@ static int qcow2_amend_options(BlockDriverState *bs, QemuOpts *opts,
         }
     }
 
+    if (data_file) {
+        g_free(s->image_data_file);
+        s->image_data_file = *data_file ? g_strdup(data_file) : NULL;
+    }
+
+    ret = qcow2_update_header(bs);
+    if (ret < 0) {
+        error_setg_errno(errp, -ret, "Failed to update the image header");
+        return ret;
+    }
+
     if (backing_file || backing_format) {
         ret = qcow2_change_backing_file(bs,
                     backing_file ?: s->image_backing_file,
@@ -5025,6 +5112,11 @@ static QemuOptsList qcow2_create_opts = {
             .type = QEMU_OPT_STRING,
             .help = "Image format of the base image"
         },
+        {
+            .name = BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE,
+            .type = QEMU_OPT_STRING,
+            .help = "File name of an external data file"
+        },
         {
             .name = BLOCK_OPT_ENCRYPT,
             .type = QEMU_OPT_BOOL,
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/082.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/082.out
index 0ce18c075b..7dc59f6075 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/082.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/082.out
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -90,6 +92,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -111,6 +114,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -132,6 +136,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -153,6 +158,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -174,6 +180,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -195,6 +202,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -231,6 +239,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -304,6 +313,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -325,6 +335,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -346,6 +357,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -367,6 +379,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -388,6 +401,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -409,6 +423,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -430,6 +445,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -451,6 +467,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -487,6 +504,7 @@ Supported options:
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -568,6 +586,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -590,6 +609,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -612,6 +632,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -634,6 +655,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -656,6 +678,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -678,6 +701,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -700,6 +724,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -722,6 +747,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
@@ -761,6 +787,7 @@ Creation options for 'qcow2':
   backing_fmt=<str>      - Image format of the base image
   cluster_size=<size>    - qcow2 cluster size
   compat=<str>           - Compatibility level (0.10 or 1.1)
+  data_file=<str>        - File name of an external data file
   encrypt.cipher-alg=<str> - Name of encryption cipher algorithm
   encrypt.cipher-mode=<str> - Name of encryption cipher mode
   encrypt.format=<str>   - Encrypt the image, format choices: 'aes', 'luks'
