diff --git a/core/java/android/view/ViewConfiguration.java b/core/java/android/view/ViewConfiguration.java
index c3f064fdfd4ae..e67659c2485e0 100644
--- a/core/java/android/view/ViewConfiguration.java
+++ b/core/java/android/view/ViewConfiguration.java
@@ -212,6 +212,14 @@ public class ViewConfiguration {
      */
     private static final int OVERFLING_DISTANCE = 6;
 
+    /**
+     * Configuration values for overriding {@link #hasPermanentMenuKey()} behavior.
+     * These constants must match the definition in res/values/config.xml.
+     */
+    private static final int HAS_PERMANENT_MENU_KEY_AUTODETECT = 0;
+    private static final int HAS_PERMANENT_MENU_KEY_TRUE = 1;
+    private static final int HAS_PERMANENT_MENU_KEY_FALSE = 2;
+
     private final int mEdgeSlop;
     private final int mFadingEdgeLength;
     private final int mMinimumFlingVelocity;
@@ -296,12 +304,31 @@ public class ViewConfiguration {
         mOverflingDistance = (int) (sizeAndDensity * OVERFLING_DISTANCE + 0.5f);
 
         if (!sHasPermanentMenuKeySet) {
-            IWindowManager wm = WindowManagerGlobal.getWindowManagerService();
-            try {
-                sHasPermanentMenuKey = !wm.hasNavigationBar();
-                sHasPermanentMenuKeySet = true;
-            } catch (RemoteException ex) {
-                sHasPermanentMenuKey = false;
+            final int configVal = res.getInteger(
+                    com.android.internal.R.integer.config_overrideHasPermanentMenuKey);
+
+            switch (configVal) {
+                default:
+                case HAS_PERMANENT_MENU_KEY_AUTODETECT: {
+                    IWindowManager wm = WindowManagerGlobal.getWindowManagerService();
+                    try {
+                        sHasPermanentMenuKey = !wm.hasNavigationBar();
+                        sHasPermanentMenuKeySet = true;
+                    } catch (RemoteException ex) {
+                        sHasPermanentMenuKey = false;
+                    }
+                }
+                break;
+
+                case HAS_PERMANENT_MENU_KEY_TRUE:
+                    sHasPermanentMenuKey = true;
+                    sHasPermanentMenuKeySet = true;
+                    break;
+
+                case HAS_PERMANENT_MENU_KEY_FALSE:
+                    sHasPermanentMenuKey = false;
+                    sHasPermanentMenuKeySet = true;
+                    break;
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/config.xml b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
index 1604fc3658f31..b1b1f42c37058 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/config.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
@@ -1310,4 +1310,12 @@
         <item>333</item>
         <item>353</item>
     </string-array>
+
+    <!-- Override the default detection behavior for the framework method
+         android.view.ViewConfiguration#hasPermanentMenuKey().
+         Valid settings are:
+         0 - No change. Use the default autodetection behavior.
+         1 - The device DOES have a permanent menu key; ignore autodetection.
+         2 - The device DOES NOT have a permanent menu key; ignore autodetection. -->
+    <integer name="config_overrideHasPermanentMenuKey">0</integer>
 </resources>
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
index 9dd694de1a212..680fb4f42a78b 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@
   <java-symbol type="integer" name="config_mobile_mtu" />
   <java-symbol type="integer" name="config_volte_replacement_rat"/>
   <java-symbol type="integer" name="config_valid_wappush_index" />
+  <java-symbol type="integer" name="config_overrideHasPermanentMenuKey" />
 
   <java-symbol type="color" name="tab_indicator_text_v4" />