diff --git a/lgl_android_install.py b/lgl_android_install.py
index dadb6d2..deaa48c 100755
--- a/lgl_android_install.py
+++ b/lgl_android_install.py
@@ -50,6 +50,11 @@
 specify the device (--device/-D) and the package to use (--package/-P) on the
 command line.
 
+By default the application package will not automatically start, letting the
+script be used in existing workflows that may want to manage the application
+lifecycle externally. If you run the script with --auto-start, the script will
+start and stop the package automatically.
+
 You must specify one or more layer directories in the repository using the
 --layer option, e.g. "--layer layer_example". This option can be used multiple
 times to specify the installation of multiple stacked layers.
@@ -696,6 +701,10 @@ def parse_cli() -> argparse.Namespace:
         '--layer', '-L', action='append', required=True,
         help='layer directory of a layer to install (required, repeatable)')
 
+    parser.add_argument(
+        '--auto-start', '-A', action='store_true', default=False,
+        help='auto-start and stop the package (default=false)')
+
     parser.add_argument(
         '--config', '-C', action='append', default=[],
         help='layer config  to install (repeatable)')
@@ -792,13 +801,15 @@ def main() -> int:
         perfetto_conf = configure_perfetto(conn, args.perfetto)
 
     # Restart the package so it actually loads the layer ...
-    AndroidUtils.stop_package(conn)
-    AndroidUtils.start_package(conn, activity)
+    if args.auto_start:
+        AndroidUtils.stop_package(conn)
+        AndroidUtils.start_package(conn, activity)
 
     input('Press any key when finished to uninstall all layers')
 
     # Kill the package so we can cleanup
-    AndroidUtils.stop_package(conn)
+    if args.auto_start:
+        AndroidUtils.stop_package(conn)
 
     # Disable Perfetto trace
     if args.perfetto and perfetto_conf: