diff --git a/core/res/res/values/config.xml b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
index 7602f697fcf3a..f63f8b3c7af8d 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/config.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
@@ -198,6 +198,9 @@
          service. Off by default, since the service may not be available on some devices. -->
     <bool name="config_enableProximityService">false</bool>
 
+    <!-- Enable or disable android.companion.virtual.VirtualDeviceManager. Enabled by default. -->
+    <bool name="config_enableVirtualDeviceManager">true</bool>
+
     <!-- Whether dialogs should close automatically when the user touches outside
          of them.  This should not normally be modified. -->
     <bool name="config_closeDialogWhenTouchOutside">true</bool>
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
index 978849d8bde06..8e52633c83245 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
@@ -418,6 +418,7 @@
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_localDisplaysMirrorContent" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_ignoreUdfpsVote" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_enableProximityService" />
+  <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_enableVirtualDeviceManager" />
   <java-symbol type="array" name="config_localPrivateDisplayPorts" />
   <java-symbol type="integer" name="config_defaultDisplayDefaultColorMode" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_enableAppWidgetService" />
diff --git a/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java b/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
index ee4bc1237bcba..6a2d4dc333f6d 100644
--- a/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
+++ b/services/java/com/android/server/SystemServer.java
@@ -2447,8 +2447,9 @@ public final class SystemServer implements Dumpable {
                 t.traceBegin("StartCompanionDeviceManager");
                 mSystemServiceManager.startService(COMPANION_DEVICE_MANAGER_SERVICE_CLASS);
                 t.traceEnd();
+            }
 
-                // VirtualDeviceManager depends on CDM to control the associations.
+            if (context.getResources().getBoolean(R.bool.config_enableVirtualDeviceManager)) {
                 t.traceBegin("StartVirtualDeviceManager");
                 mSystemServiceManager.startService(VIRTUAL_DEVICE_MANAGER_SERVICE_CLASS);
                 t.traceEnd();