diff --git a/core/src/utils/overlays.ts b/core/src/utils/overlays.ts
index af2dafc586..c86c2f7d93 100644
--- a/core/src/utils/overlays.ts
+++ b/core/src/utils/overlays.ts
@@ -88,10 +88,14 @@ export const createOverlay = <T extends HTMLIonOverlayElement>(
  * interactive elements that meet the following
  * criteria:
  * 1. Element does not have a negative tabindex
- * 2. Element does not have [hidden]
+ * 2. Element does not have `hidden`
+ * 3. Element does not have `disabled` for non-Ionic components.
+ * 4. Element does not have `disabled` or `disabled="true"` for Ionic components.
+ * Note: We need this distinction because `disabled="false"` is
+ * valid usage for the disabled property on ion-button.
  */
 const focusableQueryString =
-  '[tabindex]:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]), input:not([type=hidden]):not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]), textarea:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]), button:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]), select:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]), .ion-focusable:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden])';
+  '[tabindex]:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]):not([disabled]), input:not([type=hidden]):not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]):not([disabled]), textarea:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]):not([disabled]), button:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]):not([disabled]), select:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]):not([disabled]), .ion-focusable:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden]):not([disabled]), .ion-focusable[disabled="false"]:not([tabindex^="-"]):not([hidden])';
 
 export const focusFirstDescendant = (ref: Element, overlay: HTMLIonOverlayElement) => {
   let firstInput = ref.querySelector(focusableQueryString) as HTMLElement | null;
diff --git a/core/src/utils/test/overlays/overlays.e2e.ts b/core/src/utils/test/overlays/overlays.e2e.ts
index 901d298eed..605677d3af 100644
--- a/core/src/utils/test/overlays/overlays.e2e.ts
+++ b/core/src/utils/test/overlays/overlays.e2e.ts
@@ -53,4 +53,61 @@ test.describe('overlays: focus', () => {
     await page.keyboard.press(tabKey);
     await expect(visibleButton).toBeFocused();
   });
+
+  test('should not select a disabled focusable element', async ({ page, browserName }) => {
+    await page.setContent(`
+      <ion-button id="open-modal">Show Modal</ion-button>
+      <ion-modal trigger="open-modal">
+        <ion-content>
+          <ion-button disabled="true" id="disabled">Button</ion-button>
+          <ion-button id="active">Active Button</ion-button>
+        </ion-content>
+      </ion-modal>
+    `);
+
+    const ionModalDidPresent = await page.spyOnEvent('ionModalDidPresent');
+    const presentButton = page.locator('ion-button#open-modal');
+    const activeButton = page.locator('ion-button#active');
+    const tabKey = browserName === 'webkit' ? 'Alt+Tab' : 'Tab';
+
+    await presentButton.click();
+    await ionModalDidPresent.next();
+
+    await page.keyboard.press(tabKey);
+    await expect(activeButton).toBeFocused();
+
+    await page.keyboard.press(tabKey);
+    await expect(activeButton).toBeFocused();
+  });
+
+  test('should select a focusable element with disabled="false"', async ({ page, browserName }) => {
+    await page.setContent(`
+      <ion-button id="open-modal">Show Modal</ion-button>
+      <ion-modal trigger="open-modal">
+        <ion-content>
+          <ion-button disabled="false" id="disabled-false">Button</ion-button>
+          <ion-button id="active">Active Button</ion-button>
+        </ion-content>
+      </ion-modal>
+    `);
+
+    const ionModalDidPresent = await page.spyOnEvent('ionModalDidPresent');
+    const presentButton = page.locator('ion-button#open-modal');
+    const disabledFalseButton = page.locator('ion-button#disabled-false');
+    const activeButton = page.locator('ion-button#active');
+    const tabKey = browserName === 'webkit' ? 'Alt+Tab' : 'Tab';
+
+    await presentButton.click();
+    await ionModalDidPresent.next();
+
+    await page.keyboard.press(tabKey);
+    await expect(disabledFalseButton).toBeFocused();
+
+    await page.keyboard.press(tabKey);
+    await expect(activeButton).toBeFocused();
+
+    // Loop back to beginning of overlay
+    await page.keyboard.press(tabKey);
+    await expect(disabledFalseButton).toBeFocused();
+  });
 });