diff --git a/buildozer/default.spec b/buildozer/default.spec
index 677b59be4..ce2eca232 100644
--- a/buildozer/default.spec
+++ b/buildozer/default.spec
@@ -151,6 +151,10 @@ fullscreen = 0
 # use that parameter to provide a filename from where to load your custom XML arguments:
 #android.extra_manifest_application_arguments = ./src/android/extra_manifest_application_arguments.xml
 
+# (str) Extra xml to write directly inside the <application> element of AndroidManifest.xml
+# use that parameter to provide a filename from where to load your custom XML arguments:
+# android.extra_manifest_application_xml = ./src/android/extra_manifest_application.xml
+
 # (str) Full name including package path of the Java class that implements Python Service
 # use that parameter to set custom Java class instead of PythonService
 #android.service_class_name = org.kivy.android.PythonService
diff --git a/buildozer/targets/android.py b/buildozer/targets/android.py
index e44871dbe..fe6826126 100644
--- a/buildozer/targets/android.py
+++ b/buildozer/targets/android.py
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ def execute_build_package(self, build_cmd):
         extra_manifest_xml = self.buildozer.config.getdefault(
             'app', 'android.extra_manifest_xml', '')
         if extra_manifest_xml:
-            cmd.append('--extra-manifest-xml="{}"'.format(open(extra_manifest_xml, 'rt').read()))
+            cmd.append('--extra-manifest-xml="{}"'.format(open(extra_manifest_xml, 'rt').read().replace('"', '\\"')))
 
         # support for extra-manifest-application-arguments
         extra_manifest_application_arguments = self.buildozer.config.getdefault(
@@ -964,6 +964,13 @@ def execute_build_package(self, build_cmd):
         if extra_manifest_application_arguments:
             args_body = open(extra_manifest_application_arguments, 'rt').read().replace('"', '\\"').replace('\n', ' ').replace('\t', ' ')
             cmd.append('--extra-manifest-application-arguments="{}"'.format(args_body))
+            
+        # support for extra-manifest-application-xml
+        extra_manifest_application_xml = self.buildozer.config.getdefault(
+            'app', 'android.extra_manifest_application_xml', '')
+        if extra_manifest_application_xml:
+            args_body = open(extra_manifest_application_xml, 'rt').read().replace('"', '\\"')
+            cmd.append('--extra-manifest-application-xml="{}"'.format(args_body))
 
         # support for gradle dependencies
         gradle_dependencies = self.buildozer.config.getlist('app', 'android.gradle_dependencies', [])