diff --git a/packages/react-native/ReactAndroid/src/debugOptimized/AndroidManifest.xml b/packages/react-native/ReactAndroid/src/debugOptimized/AndroidManifest.xml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b57eb720545
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/react-native/ReactAndroid/src/debugOptimized/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
+
+  <!--
+    debugOptimized keeps JS debugging and DevSupport enabled while using
+    optimized native code. Keep this manifest in sync with the debug
+    DevSupport manifest so debug-only DevSupport components remain available.
+   -->
+  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW"/>
+
+  <!--
+    On Android 17 (SDK 37) devices, apps that declare this must hold ACCESS_LOCAL_NETWORK
+    to reach the dev server over the local network. Loopback via `adb reverse` is exempt.
+   -->
+  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_LOCAL_NETWORK"/>
+
+  <application>
+    <activity android:name="com.facebook.react.devsupport.DevSettingsActivity"
+              android:exported="false" />
+  </application>
+
+</manifest>