diff --git a/core/java/android/os/Vibrator.java b/core/java/android/os/Vibrator.java
index 95962c82a6112..12538e6cd46b3 100644
--- a/core/java/android/os/Vibrator.java
+++ b/core/java/android/os/Vibrator.java
@@ -226,6 +226,17 @@ public abstract class Vibrator {
                 IVibrator.CAP_FREQUENCY_CONTROL | IVibrator.CAP_COMPOSE_PWLE_EFFECTS);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Check whether the vibrator can be controlled by an external service with the
+     * {@link IExternalVibratorService}.
+     *
+     * @return True if the hardware can be controlled by an external service, otherwise false.
+     * @hide
+     */
+    public boolean hasExternalControl() {
+        return getInfo().hasCapability(IVibrator.CAP_EXTERNAL_CONTROL);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Gets the resonant frequency of the vibrator.
      *