diff --git a/minui/graphics.cpp b/minui/graphics.cpp
index dce1e61..f25694a 100644
--- a/minui/graphics.cpp
+++ b/minui/graphics.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@
 static GRSurface* gr_draw = nullptr;
 static GRRotation rotation = GRRotation::NONE;
 static PixelFormat pixel_format = PixelFormat::UNKNOWN;
+// The graphics backend list that provides fallback options for the default backend selection.
+// For example, it will fist try DRM, then try FBDEV if DRM is unavailable.
+constexpr auto default_backends = { GraphicsBackend::DRM, GraphicsBackend::FBDEV };
 
 static bool outside(int x, int y) {
   auto swapped = (rotation == GRRotation::LEFT || rotation == GRRotation::RIGHT);
@@ -340,7 +343,22 @@
   gr_draw = gr_backend->Flip();
 }
 
+std::unique_ptr<MinuiBackend> create_backend(GraphicsBackend backend) {
+  switch (backend) {
+    case GraphicsBackend::DRM:
+      return std::make_unique<MinuiBackendDrm>();
+    case GraphicsBackend::FBDEV:
+      return std::make_unique<MinuiBackendFbdev>();
+    default:
+      return nullptr;
+  }
+}
+
 int gr_init() {
+  return gr_init(default_backends);
+}
+
+int gr_init(std::initializer_list<GraphicsBackend> backends) {
   // pixel_format needs to be set before loading any resources or initializing backends.
   std::string format = android::base::GetProperty("ro.minui.pixel_format", "");
   if (format == "ABGR_8888") {
@@ -361,19 +379,22 @@
            ret);
   }
 
-  auto backend = std::unique_ptr<MinuiBackend>{ std::make_unique<MinuiBackendDrm>() };
-  gr_draw = backend->Init();
-
-  if (!gr_draw) {
-    backend = std::make_unique<MinuiBackendFbdev>();
-    gr_draw = backend->Init();
+  std::unique_ptr<MinuiBackend> minui_backend;
+  for (GraphicsBackend backend : backends) {
+    minui_backend = create_backend(backend);
+    if (!minui_backend) {
+      printf("gr_init: minui_backend %d is a nullptr\n", backend);
+      continue;
+    }
+    gr_draw = minui_backend->Init();
+    if (gr_draw) break;
   }
 
   if (!gr_draw) {
     return -1;
   }
 
-  gr_backend = backend.release();
+  gr_backend = minui_backend.release();
 
   int overscan_percent = android::base::GetIntProperty("ro.minui.overscan_percent", 0);
   overscan_offset_x = gr_draw->width * overscan_percent / 100;
diff --git a/minui/include/minui/minui.h b/minui/include/minui/minui.h
index 163e41d..5470457 100644
--- a/minui/include/minui/minui.h
+++ b/minui/include/minui/minui.h
@@ -104,10 +104,19 @@
   ARGB = 4,
 };
 
-// Initializes the graphics backend and loads font file. Returns 0 on success, or -1 on error. Note
-// that the font initialization failure would be non-fatal, as caller may not need to draw any text
-// at all. Caller can check the font initialization result via gr_sys_font() as needed.
+enum class GraphicsBackend : int {
+  UNKNOWN = 0,
+  DRM = 1,
+  FBDEV = 2,
+};
+
+// Initializes the default graphics backend and loads font file. Returns 0 on success, or -1 on
+// error. Note that the font initialization failure would be non-fatal, as caller may not need to
+// draw any text at all. Caller can check the font initialization result via gr_sys_font() as
+// needed.
 int gr_init();
+// Supports backend selection for minui client.
+int gr_init(std::initializer_list<GraphicsBackend> backends);
 
 // Frees the allocated resources. The function is idempotent, and safe to be called if gr_init()
 // didn't finish successfully.