diff --git a/core/res/res/values/config.xml b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
index 4a60fb7e82925..12c55f8733734 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/config.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
@@ -4410,6 +4410,10 @@
         or empty if the default should be used. -->
     <string translatable="false" name="config_deviceSpecificDeviceStatePolicyProvider"></string>
 
+    <!-- Class name of the device specific implementation of InputMethodManagerService
+        or empty if the default should be used. -->
+    <string translatable="false" name="config_deviceSpecificInputMethodManagerService"></string>
+
     <!-- Component name of media projection permission dialog -->
     <string name="config_mediaProjectionPermissionDialogComponent" translatable="false">com.android.systemui/com.android.systemui.media.MediaProjectionPermissionActivity</string>
 
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
index e9f80235d7468..daed3bb6dc42a 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
@@ -483,6 +483,7 @@
   <java-symbol type="array" name="config_deviceSpecificSystemServices" />
   <java-symbol type="string" name="config_deviceSpecificDevicePolicyManagerService" />
   <java-symbol type="string" name="config_deviceSpecificAudioService" />
+  <java-symbol type="string" name="config_deviceSpecificInputMethodManagerService" />
   <java-symbol type="integer" name="config_num_physical_slots" />
   <java-symbol type="integer" name="config_default_cellular_usage_setting" />
   <java-symbol type="array" name="config_supported_cellular_usage_settings" />
diff --git a/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java b/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
index 88c0ec6d9c954..fe2d0be0fe36c 100644
--- a/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
+++ b/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
@@ -1665,7 +1665,18 @@ public final class SystemServer implements Dumpable {
         // Bring up services needed for UI.
         if (mFactoryTestMode != FactoryTest.FACTORY_TEST_LOW_LEVEL) {
             t.traceBegin("StartInputMethodManagerLifecycle");
-            mSystemServiceManager.startService(InputMethodManagerService.Lifecycle.class);
+            String immsClassName = context.getResources().getString(
+                    R.string.config_deviceSpecificInputMethodManagerService);
+            if (immsClassName.isEmpty()) {
+                mSystemServiceManager.startService(InputMethodManagerService.Lifecycle.class);
+            } else {
+                try {
+                    Slog.i(TAG, "Starting custom IMMS: " + immsClassName);
+                    mSystemServiceManager.startService(immsClassName);
+                } catch (Throwable e) {
+                    reportWtf("starting " + immsClassName, e);
+                }
+            }
             t.traceEnd();
 
             t.traceBegin("StartAccessibilityManagerService");