diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 56f832b1..9ee49264 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com).
 ## Unreleased
 
 ### Changed
+*   (testing) Added `@flagsaver.as_parsed`: this allows saving/restoring flags
+    using string values as if parsed from the command line and will also reflect
+    other flag states after command line parsing, e.g. `.present` is set.
 
 *   (logging) If no log dir is specified `logging.find_log_dir()` now falls back
     to `tempfile.gettempdir()` instead of `/tmp/`.
diff --git a/absl/flags/_flagvalues.py b/absl/flags/_flagvalues.py
index 6661b783..fd0e6310 100644
--- a/absl/flags/_flagvalues.py
+++ b/absl/flags/_flagvalues.py
@@ -792,8 +792,10 @@ def get_value():
           continue
 
       if flag is not None:
+        # LINT.IfChange
         flag.parse(value)
         flag.using_default_value = False
+        # LINT.ThenChange(../testing/flagsaver.py:flag_override_parsing)
       else:
         unparsed_names_and_args.append((name, arg))
 
diff --git a/absl/testing/BUILD b/absl/testing/BUILD
index d4287926..3173c4b9 100644
--- a/absl/testing/BUILD
+++ b/absl/testing/BUILD
@@ -212,6 +212,7 @@ py_test(
     deps = [
         ":absltest",
         ":flagsaver",
+        ":parameterized",
         "//absl/flags",
     ],
 )
diff --git a/absl/testing/flagsaver.py b/absl/testing/flagsaver.py
index 774c698c..e96c8c52 100644
--- a/absl/testing/flagsaver.py
+++ b/absl/testing/flagsaver.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
+
 """Decorator and context manager for saving and restoring flag values.
 
 There are many ways to save and restore.  Always use the most convenient method
@@ -49,6 +50,36 @@ def some_func():
     finally:
       flagsaver.restore_flag_values(saved_flag_values)
 
+    # Use the parsing version to emulate users providing the flags.
+    # Note that all flags must be provided as strings (unparsed).
+    @flagsaver.as_parsed(some_int_flag='123')
+    def some_func():
+      # Because the flag was parsed it is considered "present".
+      assert FLAGS.some_int_flag.present
+      do_stuff()
+
+    # flagsaver.as_parsed() can also be used as a context manager just like
+    # flagsaver.flagsaver()
+    with flagsaver.as_parsed(some_int_flag='123'):
+      do_stuff()
+
+    # The flagsaver.as_parsed() interface also supports FlagHolder objects.
+    @flagsaver.as_parsed((module.FOO_FLAG, 'foo'), (other_mod.BAR_FLAG, '23'))
+    def some_func():
+      do_stuff()
+
+    # Using as_parsed with a multi_X flag requires a sequence of strings.
+    @flagsaver.as_parsed(some_multi_int_flag=['123', '456'])
+    def some_func():
+      assert FLAGS.some_multi_int_flag.present
+      do_stuff()
+
+    # If a flag name includes non-identifier characters it can be specified like
+    # so:
+    @flagsaver.as_parsed(**{'i-like-dashes': 'true'})
+    def some_func():
+      do_stuff()
+
 We save and restore a shallow copy of each Flag object's ``__dict__`` attribute.
 This preserves all attributes of the flag, such as whether or not it was
 overridden from its default value.
@@ -58,14 +89,16 @@ def some_func():
 and then restore flag values, the added flag will be deleted with no errors.
 """
 
+import collections
 import functools
 import inspect
-from typing import overload, Any, Callable, Mapping, Tuple, TypeVar
+from typing import overload, Any, Callable, Mapping, Tuple, TypeVar, Type, Sequence, Union
 
 from absl import flags
 
 FLAGS = flags.FLAGS
 
+
 # The type of pre/post wrapped functions.
 _CallableT = TypeVar('_CallableT', bound=Callable)
 
@@ -83,8 +116,86 @@ def flagsaver(func: _CallableT) -> _CallableT:
 
 def flagsaver(*args, **kwargs):
   """The main flagsaver interface. See module doc for usage."""
+  return _construct_overrider(_FlagOverrider, *args, **kwargs)
+
+
+@overload
+def as_parsed(*args: Tuple[flags.FlagHolder, Union[str, Sequence[str]]],
+              **kwargs: Union[str, Sequence[str]]) -> '_ParsingFlagOverrider':
+  ...
+
+
+@overload
+def as_parsed(func: _CallableT) -> _CallableT:
+  ...
+
+
+def as_parsed(*args, **kwargs):
+  """Overrides flags by parsing strings, saves flag state similar to flagsaver.
+
+  This function can be used as either a decorator or context manager similar to
+  flagsaver.flagsaver(). However, where flagsaver.flagsaver() directly sets the
+  flags to new values, this function will parse the provided arguments as if
+  they were provided on the command line. Among other things, this will cause
+  `FLAGS['flag_name'].parsed == True`.
+
+  A note on unparsed input: For many flag types, the unparsed version will be
+  a single string. However for multi_x (multi_string, multi_integer, multi_enum)
+  the unparsed version will be a Sequence of strings.
+
+  Args:
+    *args: Tuples of FlagHolders and their unparsed value.
+    **kwargs: The keyword args are flag names, and the values are unparsed
+      values.
+
+  Returns:
+    _ParsingFlagOverrider that serves as a context manager or decorator. Will
+    save previous flag state and parse new flags, then on cleanup it will
+    restore the previous flag state.
+  """
+  return _construct_overrider(_ParsingFlagOverrider, *args, **kwargs)
+
+
+# NOTE: the order of these overload declarations matters. The type checker will
+# pick the first match which could be incorrect.
+@overload
+def _construct_overrider(
+    flag_overrider_cls: Type['_ParsingFlagOverrider'],
+    *args: Tuple[flags.FlagHolder, Union[str, Sequence[str]]],
+    **kwargs: Union[str, Sequence[str]]) -> '_ParsingFlagOverrider':
+  ...
+
+
+@overload
+def _construct_overrider(flag_overrider_cls: Type['_FlagOverrider'],
+                         *args: Tuple[flags.FlagHolder, Any],
+                         **kwargs: Any) -> '_FlagOverrider':
+  ...
+
+
+@overload
+def _construct_overrider(flag_overrider_cls: Type['_FlagOverrider'],
+                         func: _CallableT) -> _CallableT:
+  ...
+
+
+def _construct_overrider(flag_overrider_cls, *args, **kwargs):
+  """Handles the args/kwargs returning an instance of flag_overrider_cls.
+
+  If flag_overrider_cls is _FlagOverrider then values should be native python
+  types matching the python types. Otherwise if flag_overrider_cls is
+  _ParsingFlagOverrider the values should be strings or sequences of strings.
+
+  Args:
+    flag_overrider_cls: The class that will do the overriding.
+    *args: Tuples of FlagHolder and the new flag value.
+    **kwargs: Keword args mapping flag name to new flag value.
+
+  Returns:
+    A _FlagOverrider to be used as a decorator or context manager.
+  """
   if not args:
-    return _FlagOverrider(**kwargs)
+    return flag_overrider_cls(**kwargs)
   # args can be [func] if used as `@flagsaver` instead of `@flagsaver(...)`
   if len(args) == 1 and callable(args[0]):
     if kwargs:
@@ -93,7 +204,7 @@ def flagsaver(*args, **kwargs):
     func = args[0]
     if inspect.isclass(func):
       raise TypeError('@flagsaver.flagsaver cannot be applied to a class.')
-    return _wrap(func, {})
+    return _wrap(flag_overrider_cls, func, {})
   # args can be a list of (FlagHolder, value) pairs.
   # In which case they augment any specified kwargs.
   for arg in args:
@@ -105,7 +216,7 @@ def flagsaver(*args, **kwargs):
     if holder.name in kwargs:
       raise ValueError('Cannot set --%s multiple times' % holder.name)
     kwargs[holder.name] = value
-  return _FlagOverrider(**kwargs)
+  return flag_overrider_cls(**kwargs)
 
 
 def save_flag_values(
@@ -144,13 +255,27 @@ def restore_flag_values(saved_flag_values: Mapping[str, Mapping[str, Any]],
       flag_values[name].__dict__ = saved
 
 
-def _wrap(func: _CallableT, overrides: Mapping[str, Any]) -> _CallableT:
+@overload
+def _wrap(flag_overrider_cls: Type['_FlagOverrider'], func: _CallableT,
+          overrides: Mapping[str, Any]) -> _CallableT:
+  ...
+
+
+@overload
+def _wrap(flag_overrider_cls: Type['_ParsingFlagOverrider'], func: _CallableT,
+          overrides: Mapping[str, Union[str, Sequence[str]]]) -> _CallableT:
+  ...
+
+
+def _wrap(flag_overrider_cls, func, overrides):
   """Creates a wrapper function that saves/restores flag values.
 
   Args:
+    flag_overrider_cls: The class that will be used as a context manager.
     func: This will be called between saving flags and restoring flags.
     overrides: Flag names mapped to their values. These flags will be set after
-      saving the original flag state.
+      saving the original flag state. The type of the values depends on if
+      _FlagOverrider or _ParsingFlagOverrider was specified.
 
   Returns:
     A wrapped version of func.
@@ -159,7 +284,7 @@ def _wrap(func: _CallableT, overrides: Mapping[str, Any]) -> _CallableT:
   @functools.wraps(func)
   def _flagsaver_wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
     """Wrapper function that saves and restores flags."""
-    with _FlagOverrider(**overrides):
+    with flag_overrider_cls(**overrides):
       return func(*args, **kwargs)
 
   return _flagsaver_wrapper
@@ -179,7 +304,7 @@ def __init__(self, **overrides: Any):
   def __call__(self, func: _CallableT) -> _CallableT:
     if inspect.isclass(func):
       raise TypeError('flagsaver cannot be applied to a class.')
-    return _wrap(func, self._overrides)
+    return _wrap(self.__class__, func, self._overrides)
 
   def __enter__(self):
     self._saved_flag_values = save_flag_values(FLAGS)
@@ -194,6 +319,55 @@ def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_value, traceback):
     restore_flag_values(self._saved_flag_values, FLAGS)
 
 
+class _ParsingFlagOverrider(_FlagOverrider):
+  """Context manager for overriding flags.
+
+  Simulates command line parsing.
+
+  This is simlar to _FlagOverrider except that all **overrides should be
+  strings or sequences of strings, and when context is entered this class calls
+  .parse(value)
+
+  This results in the flags having .present set properly.
+  """
+
+  def __init__(self, **overrides: Union[str, Sequence[str]]):
+    for flag_name, new_value in overrides.items():
+      if isinstance(new_value, str):
+        continue
+      if (isinstance(new_value, collections.abc.Sequence) and
+          all(isinstance(single_value, str) for single_value in new_value)):
+        continue
+      raise TypeError(
+          f'flagsaver.as_parsed() cannot parse {flag_name}. Expected a single '
+          f'string or sequence of strings but {type(new_value)} was provided.')
+    super().__init__(**overrides)
+
+  def __enter__(self):
+    self._saved_flag_values = save_flag_values(FLAGS)
+    try:
+      for flag_name, unparsed_value in self._overrides.items():
+        # LINT.IfChange(flag_override_parsing)
+        FLAGS[flag_name].parse(unparsed_value)
+        FLAGS[flag_name].using_default_value = False
+        # LINT.ThenChange()
+
+      # Perform the validation on all modified flags. This is something that
+      # FLAGS._set_attributes() does for you in _FlagOverrider.
+      for flag_name in self._overrides:
+        FLAGS._assert_validators(FLAGS[flag_name].validators)
+
+    except KeyError as e:
+      # If a flag doesn't exist, an UnrecognizedFlagError is more specific.
+      restore_flag_values(self._saved_flag_values, FLAGS)
+      raise flags.UnrecognizedFlagError('Unknown command line flag.') from e
+
+    except:
+      # It may fail because of flag validators or general parsing issues.
+      restore_flag_values(self._saved_flag_values, FLAGS)
+      raise
+
+
 def _copy_flag_dict(flag: flags.Flag) -> Mapping[str, Any]:
   """Returns a copy of the flag object's ``__dict__``.
 
diff --git a/absl/testing/tests/flagsaver_test.py b/absl/testing/tests/flagsaver_test.py
index e98cd06f..b8f91a57 100644
--- a/absl/testing/tests/flagsaver_test.py
+++ b/absl/testing/tests/flagsaver_test.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 from absl import flags
 from absl.testing import absltest
 from absl.testing import flagsaver
+from absl.testing import parameterized
 
 flags.DEFINE_string('flagsaver_test_flag0', 'unchanged0', 'flag to test with')
 flags.DEFINE_string('flagsaver_test_flag1', 'unchanged1', 'flag to test with')
@@ -31,6 +32,9 @@
 STR_FLAG = flags.DEFINE_string(
     'flagsaver_test_str_flag', default='str default', help='help')
 
+MULTI_INT_FLAG = flags.DEFINE_multi_integer('flagsaver_test_multi_int_flag',
+                                            None, 'flag to test with')
+
 
 @flags.multi_flags_validator(
     ('flagsaver_test_validated_flag1', 'flagsaver_test_validated_flag2'))
@@ -51,194 +55,83 @@ class _TestError(Exception):
   """Exception class for use in these tests."""
 
 
-class FlagSaverTest(absltest.TestCase):
+class CommonUsageTest(absltest.TestCase):
+  """These test cases cover the most common usages of flagsaver."""
 
-  def test_context_manager_without_parameters(self):
-    with flagsaver.flagsaver():
-      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'new value'
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-
-  def test_context_manager_with_overrides(self):
-    with flagsaver.flagsaver(flagsaver_test_flag0='new value'):
-      self.assertEqual('new value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1 = 'another value'
+  def test_as_parsed_context_manager(self):
+    # Precondition check, we expect all the flags to start as their default.
+    self.assertEqual('str default', STR_FLAG.value)
+    self.assertFalse(STR_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertEqual(1, INT_FLAG.value)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged1', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1)
 
-  def test_context_manager_with_flagholders(self):
-    with flagsaver.flagsaver((INT_FLAG, 3), (STR_FLAG, 'new value')):
-      self.assertEqual('new value', STR_FLAG.value)
-      self.assertEqual(3, INT_FLAG.value)
-      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1 = 'another value'
-    self.assertEqual(INT_FLAG.value, INT_FLAG.default)
-    self.assertEqual(STR_FLAG.value, STR_FLAG.default)
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged1', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1)
-
-  def test_context_manager_with_overrides_and_flagholders(self):
-    with flagsaver.flagsaver((INT_FLAG, 3), flagsaver_test_flag0='new value'):
-      self.assertEqual(STR_FLAG.default, STR_FLAG.value)
-      self.assertEqual(3, INT_FLAG.value)
-      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'new value'
-    self.assertEqual(INT_FLAG.value, INT_FLAG.default)
-    self.assertEqual(STR_FLAG.value, STR_FLAG.default)
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-
-  def test_context_manager_with_cross_validated_overrides_set_together(self):
-    # When the flags are set in the same flagsaver call their validators will
-    # be triggered only once the setting is done.
-    with flagsaver.flagsaver(
-        flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
-        flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='new_value'):
-      self.assertEqual('new_value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
-      self.assertEqual('new_value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-  def test_context_manager_with_cross_validated_overrides_set_badly(self):
-
-    # Different values should violate the validator.
-    with self.assertRaisesRegex(flags.IllegalFlagValueError,
-                                'Flag validation failed'):
-      with flagsaver.flagsaver(
-          flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
-          flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='other_value'):
-        pass
-
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-  def test_context_manager_with_cross_validated_overrides_set_separately(self):
-
-    # Setting just one flag will trip the validator as well.
-    with self.assertRaisesRegex(flags.IllegalFlagValueError,
-                                'Flag validation failed'):
-      with flagsaver.flagsaver(flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value'):
-        pass
-
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-  def test_context_manager_with_exception(self):
-    with self.assertRaises(_TestError):
-      with flagsaver.flagsaver(flagsaver_test_flag0='new value'):
-        self.assertEqual('new value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-        FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1 = 'another value'
-        raise _TestError('oops')
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged1', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1)
-
-  def test_context_manager_with_validation_exception(self):
-    with self.assertRaises(flags.IllegalFlagValueError):
-      with flagsaver.flagsaver(
-          flagsaver_test_flag0='new value',
-          flagsaver_test_validated_flag='new value'):
-        pass
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged1', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1)
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag)
-
-  def test_decorator_without_call(self):
-
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver
-    def mutate_flags(value):
-      """Test function that mutates a flag."""
-      # The undecorated method mutates --flagsaver_test_flag0 to the given value
-      # and then returns the value of that flag.  If the @flagsaver.flagsaver
-      # decorator works as designed, then this mutation will be reverted after
-      # this method returns.
-      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = value
-      return FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0
-
-    # mutate_flags returns the flag value before it gets restored by
-    # the flagsaver decorator.  So we check that flag value was
-    # actually changed in the method's scope.
-    self.assertEqual('new value', mutate_flags('new value'))
-    # But... notice that the flag is now unchanged0.
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-
-  def test_decorator_without_parameters(self):
-
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver()
-    def mutate_flags(value):
-      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = value
-      return FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0
-
-    self.assertEqual('new value', mutate_flags('new value'))
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-
-  def test_decorator_with_overrides(self):
+    # Flagsaver will also save the state of flags that have been modified.
+    FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1 = 'outside flagsaver'
+
+    # Save all existing flag state, and set some flags as if they were parsed on
+    # the command line. Because of this, the new values must be provided as str,
+    # even if the flag type is something other than string.
+    with flagsaver.as_parsed(
+        (STR_FLAG, 'new string value'),  # Override using flagholder object.
+        (INT_FLAG, '123'),  # Override an int flag (NOTE: must specify as str).
+        flagsaver_test_flag0='new value',  # Override using flag name.
+    ):
+      # All the flags have their overridden values.
+      self.assertEqual('new string value', STR_FLAG.value)
+      self.assertTrue(STR_FLAG.present)
+      self.assertEqual(123, INT_FLAG.value)
+      self.assertEqual('new value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+      # Even if we change other flags, they will reset on context exit.
+      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1 = 'new value 1'
 
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver(flagsaver_test_flag0='new value')
-    def mutate_flags():
-      """Test function expecting new value."""
-      # If the @flagsaver.decorator decorator works as designed,
-      # then the value of the flag should be changed in the scope of
-      # the method but the change will be reverted after this method
-      # returns.
-      return FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0
-
-    # mutate_flags returns the flag value before it gets restored by
-    # the flagsaver decorator.  So we check that flag value was
-    # actually changed in the method's scope.
-    self.assertEqual('new value', mutate_flags())
-    # But... notice that the flag is now unchanged0.
+    # The flags have all reset to their pre-flagsaver values.
+    self.assertEqual('str default', STR_FLAG.value)
+    self.assertFalse(STR_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertEqual(1, INT_FLAG.value)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-
-  def test_decorator_with_cross_validated_overrides_set_together(self):
-
-    # When the flags are set in the same flagsaver call their validators will
-    # be triggered only once the setting is done.
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver(
-        flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
-        flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='new_value')
-    def mutate_flags_together():
-      return (FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1,
-              FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-    self.assertEqual(('new_value', 'new_value'), mutate_flags_together())
-
-    # The flags have not changed outside the context of the function.
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-  def test_decorator_with_cross_validated_overrides_set_badly(self):
-
-    # Different values should violate the validator.
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver(
-        flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
-        flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='other_value')
-    def mutate_flags_together_badly():
-      return (FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1,
-              FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-    with self.assertRaisesRegex(flags.IllegalFlagValueError,
-                                'Flag validation failed'):
-      mutate_flags_together_badly()
-
-    # The flags have not changed outside the context of the exception.
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-  def test_decorator_with_cross_validated_overrides_set_separately(self):
-
-    # Setting the flags sequentially and not together will trip the validator,
-    # because it will be called at the end of each flagsaver call.
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver(flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value')
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver(flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='new_value')
-    def mutate_flags_separately():
-      return (FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1,
-              FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-    with self.assertRaisesRegex(flags.IllegalFlagValueError,
-                                'Flag validation failed'):
-      mutate_flags_separately()
-
-    # The flags have not changed outside the context of the exception.
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
-    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
-
-  def test_save_flag_value(self):
+    self.assertEqual('outside flagsaver', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag1)
+
+  def test_as_parsed_decorator(self):
+    # flagsaver.as_parsed can also be used as a decorator.
+    @flagsaver.as_parsed((INT_FLAG, '123'))
+    def do_something_with_flags():
+      self.assertEqual(123, INT_FLAG.value)
+      self.assertTrue(INT_FLAG.present)
+
+    do_something_with_flags()
+    self.assertEqual(1, INT_FLAG.value)
+    self.assertFalse(INT_FLAG.present)
+
+  def test_flagsaver_flagsaver(self):
+    # If you don't want the flags to go through parsing, you can instead use
+    # flagsaver.flagsaver(). With this method, you provide the native python
+    # value you'd like the flags to take on. Otherwise it functions similar to
+    # flagsaver.as_parsed().
+    @flagsaver.flagsaver((INT_FLAG, 345))
+    def do_something_with_flags():
+      self.assertEqual(345, INT_FLAG.value)
+      # Note that because this flag was never parsed, it will not register as
+      # .present unless you manually set that attribute.
+      self.assertFalse(INT_FLAG.present)
+      # If you do chose to modify things about the flag (such as .present) those
+      # changes will still be cleaned up when flagsaver.flagsaver() exits.
+      INT_FLAG.present = True
+
+    self.assertEqual(1, INT_FLAG.value)
+    # flagsaver.flagsaver() restored INT_FLAG.present to the state it was in
+    # before entering the context.
+    self.assertFalse(INT_FLAG.present)
+
+
+class SaveFlagValuesTest(absltest.TestCase):
+  """Test flagsaver.save_flag_values() and flagsaver.restore_flag_values().
+
+  In this test, we insure that *all* properties of flags get restored. In other
+  tests we only try changing the flag value.
+  """
+
+  def test_assign_value(self):
     # First save the flag values.
     saved_flag_values = flagsaver.save_flag_values()
 
@@ -250,7 +143,7 @@ def test_save_flag_value(self):
     flagsaver.restore_flag_values(saved_flag_values)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
 
-  def test_save_flag_default(self):
+  def test_set_default(self):
     # First save the flag.
     saved_flag_values = flagsaver.save_flag_values()
 
@@ -262,7 +155,7 @@ def test_save_flag_default(self):
     flagsaver.restore_flag_values(saved_flag_values)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].default)
 
-  def test_restore_after_parse(self):
+  def test_parse(self):
     # First save the flag.
     saved_flag_values = flagsaver.save_flag_values()
 
@@ -278,9 +171,72 @@ def test_restore_after_parse(self):
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].value)
     self.assertEqual(0, FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].present)
 
-  def test_decorator_with_exception(self):
+  def test_assign_validators(self):
+    # First save the flag.
+    saved_flag_values = flagsaver.save_flag_values()
+
+    # Sanity check that a validator already exists.
+    self.assertLen(FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators, 1)
+    original_validators = list(FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators)
+
+    def no_space(value):
+      return ' ' not in value
+
+    # Add a new validator.
+    flags.register_validator('flagsaver_test_flag0', no_space)
+    self.assertLen(FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators, 2)
+
+    # Now restore the flag to its original value.
+    flagsaver.restore_flag_values(saved_flag_values)
+    self.assertEqual(
+        original_validators, FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators
+    )
+
+
+@parameterized.named_parameters(
+    dict(
+        testcase_name='flagsaver.flagsaver',
+        flagsaver_method=flagsaver.flagsaver,
+    ),
+    dict(
+        testcase_name='flagsaver.as_parsed',
+        flagsaver_method=flagsaver.as_parsed,
+    ),
+)
+class NoOverridesTest(parameterized.TestCase):
+  """Test flagsaver.flagsaver and flagsaver.as_parsed without overrides."""
+
+  def test_context_manager_with_call(self, flagsaver_method):
+    with flagsaver_method():
+      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'new value'
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+
+  def test_context_manager_with_exception(self, flagsaver_method):
+    with self.assertRaises(_TestError):
+      with flagsaver_method():
+        FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'new value'
+        # Simulate a failed test.
+        raise _TestError('something happened')
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+
+  def test_decorator_without_call(self, flagsaver_method):
+    @flagsaver_method
+    def mutate_flags():
+      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'new value'
+
+    mutate_flags()
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+
+  def test_decorator_with_call(self, flagsaver_method):
+    @flagsaver_method()
+    def mutate_flags():
+      FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'new value'
 
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver
+    mutate_flags()
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+
+  def test_decorator_with_exception(self, flagsaver_method):
+    @flagsaver_method()
     def raise_exception():
       FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'new value'
       # Simulate a failed test.
@@ -290,62 +246,262 @@ def raise_exception():
     self.assertRaises(_TestError, raise_exception)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
 
-  def test_validator_list_is_restored(self):
 
-    self.assertLen(FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators, 1)
-    original_validators = list(FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators)
+@parameterized.named_parameters(
+    dict(
+        testcase_name='flagsaver.flagsaver',
+        flagsaver_method=flagsaver.flagsaver,
+    ),
+    dict(
+        testcase_name='flagsaver.as_parsed',
+        flagsaver_method=flagsaver.as_parsed,
+    ),
+)
+class TestStringFlagOverrides(parameterized.TestCase):
+  """Test flagsaver.flagsaver and flagsaver.as_parsed with string overrides.
+
+  Note that these tests can be parameterized because both .flagsaver and
+  .as_parsed expect a str input when overriding a string flag. For non-string
+  flags these two flagsaver methods have separate tests elsewhere in this file.
+
+  Each test is one class of overrides, executed twice. Once as a context
+  manager, and once as a decorator on a mutate_flags() method.
+  """
+
+  def test_keyword_overrides(self, flagsaver_method):
+    # Context manager:
+    with flagsaver_method(flagsaver_test_flag0='new value'):
+      self.assertEqual('new value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
 
-    @flagsaver.flagsaver
-    def modify_validators():
+    # Decorator:
+    @flagsaver_method(flagsaver_test_flag0='new value')
+    def mutate_flags():
+      self.assertEqual('new value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
 
-      def no_space(value):
-        return ' ' not in value
+    mutate_flags()
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
 
-      flags.register_validator('flagsaver_test_flag0', no_space)
-      self.assertLen(FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators, 2)
+  def test_flagholder_overrides(self, flagsaver_method):
+    with flagsaver_method((STR_FLAG, 'new value')):
+      self.assertEqual('new value', STR_FLAG.value)
+    self.assertEqual('str default', STR_FLAG.value)
 
-    modify_validators()
-    self.assertEqual(original_validators,
-                     FLAGS['flagsaver_test_flag0'].validators)
+    @flagsaver_method((STR_FLAG, 'new value'))
+    def mutate_flags():
+      self.assertEqual('new value', STR_FLAG.value)
 
+    mutate_flags()
+    self.assertEqual('str default', STR_FLAG.value)
 
-class FlagSaverDecoratorUsageTest(absltest.TestCase):
+  def test_keyword_and_flagholder_overrides(self, flagsaver_method):
+    with flagsaver_method(
+        (STR_FLAG, 'another value'), flagsaver_test_flag0='new value'
+    ):
+      self.assertEqual('another value', STR_FLAG.value)
+      self.assertEqual('new value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+    self.assertEqual('str default', STR_FLAG.value)
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
 
-  @flagsaver.flagsaver
-  def test_mutate1(self):
-    # Even though other test cases change the flag, it should be
-    # restored to 'unchanged0' if the flagsaver is working.
+    @flagsaver_method(
+        (STR_FLAG, 'another value'), flagsaver_test_flag0='new value'
+    )
+    def mutate_flags():
+      self.assertEqual('another value', STR_FLAG.value)
+      self.assertEqual('new value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
+
+    mutate_flags()
+    self.assertEqual('str default', STR_FLAG.value)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'changed0'
 
-  @flagsaver.flagsaver
-  def test_mutate2(self):
-    # Even though other test cases change the flag, it should be
-    # restored to 'unchanged0' if the flagsaver is working.
+  def test_cross_validated_overrides_set_together(self, flagsaver_method):
+    # When the flags are set in the same flagsaver call their validators will
+    # be triggered only once the setting is done.
+    with flagsaver_method(
+        flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
+        flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='new_value',
+    ):
+      self.assertEqual('new_value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+      self.assertEqual('new_value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+
+    @flagsaver_method(
+        flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
+        flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='new_value',
+    )
+    def mutate_flags():
+      self.assertEqual('new_value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+      self.assertEqual('new_value', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+
+    mutate_flags()
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+
+  def test_cross_validated_overrides_set_badly(self, flagsaver_method):
+    # Different values should violate the validator.
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+        flags.IllegalFlagValueError, 'Flag validation failed'
+    ):
+      with flagsaver_method(
+          flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
+          flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='other_value',
+      ):
+        pass
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+
+    @flagsaver_method(
+        flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value',
+        flagsaver_test_validated_flag2='other_value',
+    )
+    def mutate_flags():
+      pass
+
+    self.assertRaisesRegex(
+        flags.IllegalFlagValueError, 'Flag validation failed', mutate_flags
+    )
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+
+  def test_cross_validated_overrides_set_separately(self, flagsaver_method):
+    # Setting just one flag will trip the validator as well.
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+        flags.IllegalFlagValueError, 'Flag validation failed'
+    ):
+      with flagsaver_method(flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value'):
+        pass
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+
+    @flagsaver_method(flagsaver_test_validated_flag1='new_value')
+    def mutate_flags():
+      pass
+
+    self.assertRaisesRegex(
+        flags.IllegalFlagValueError, 'Flag validation failed', mutate_flags
+    )
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag1)
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag2)
+
+  def test_validation_exception(self, flagsaver_method):
+    with self.assertRaises(flags.IllegalFlagValueError):
+      with flagsaver_method(
+          flagsaver_test_flag0='new value',
+          flagsaver_test_validated_flag='new value',
+      ):
+        pass
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'changed0'
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag)
 
-  @flagsaver.flagsaver
-  def test_mutate3(self):
-    # Even though other test cases change the flag, it should be
-    # restored to 'unchanged0' if the flagsaver is working.
+    @flagsaver_method(
+        flagsaver_test_flag0='new value',
+        flagsaver_test_validated_flag='new value',
+    )
+    def mutate_flags():
+      pass
+
+    self.assertRaises(flags.IllegalFlagValueError, mutate_flags)
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'changed0'
+    self.assertIsNone(FLAGS.flagsaver_test_validated_flag)
 
-  @flagsaver.flagsaver
-  def test_mutate4(self):
-    # Even though other test cases change the flag, it should be
-    # restored to 'unchanged0' if the flagsaver is working.
+  def test_unknown_flag_raises_exception(self, flagsaver_method):
+    self.assertNotIn('this_flag_does_not_exist', FLAGS)
+
+    # Flagsaver raises an error when trying to override a non-existent flag.
+    with self.assertRaises(flags.UnrecognizedFlagError):
+      with flagsaver_method(
+          flagsaver_test_flag0='new value', this_flag_does_not_exist='new value'
+      ):
+        pass
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'changed0'
 
+    @flagsaver_method(
+        flagsaver_test_flag0='new value', this_flag_does_not_exist='new value'
+    )
+    def mutate_flags():
+      pass
+
+    self.assertRaises(flags.UnrecognizedFlagError, mutate_flags)
+    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
 
-class FlagSaverSetUpTearDownUsageTest(absltest.TestCase):
+    # Make sure flagsaver didn't create the flag at any point.
+    self.assertNotIn('this_flag_does_not_exist', FLAGS)
+
+
+class AsParsedTest(absltest.TestCase):
+
+  def test_parse_context_manager_sets_present_and_using_default(self):
+    self.assertFalse(INT_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertFalse(STR_FLAG.present)
+    # Note that .using_default_value isn't available on the FlagHolder directly.
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[INT_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[STR_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+
+    with flagsaver.as_parsed((INT_FLAG, '123'),
+                             flagsaver_test_str_flag='new value'):
+      self.assertTrue(INT_FLAG.present)
+      self.assertTrue(STR_FLAG.present)
+      self.assertFalse(FLAGS[INT_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+      self.assertFalse(FLAGS[STR_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+
+    self.assertFalse(INT_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertFalse(STR_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[INT_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[STR_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+
+  def test_parse_decorator_sets_present_and_using_default(self):
+    self.assertFalse(INT_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertFalse(STR_FLAG.present)
+    # Note that .using_default_value isn't available on the FlagHolder directly.
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[INT_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[STR_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+
+    @flagsaver.as_parsed((INT_FLAG, '123'), flagsaver_test_str_flag='new value')
+    def some_func():
+      self.assertTrue(INT_FLAG.present)
+      self.assertTrue(STR_FLAG.present)
+      self.assertFalse(FLAGS[INT_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+      self.assertFalse(FLAGS[STR_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+
+    some_func()
+    self.assertFalse(INT_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertFalse(STR_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[INT_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+    self.assertTrue(FLAGS[STR_FLAG.name].using_default_value)
+
+  def test_parse_decorator_with_multi_int_flag(self):
+    self.assertFalse(MULTI_INT_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertIsNone(MULTI_INT_FLAG.value)
+
+    @flagsaver.as_parsed((MULTI_INT_FLAG, ['123', '456']))
+    def assert_flags_updated():
+      self.assertTrue(MULTI_INT_FLAG.present)
+      self.assertCountEqual([123, 456], MULTI_INT_FLAG.value)
+
+    assert_flags_updated()
+    self.assertFalse(MULTI_INT_FLAG.present)
+    self.assertIsNone(MULTI_INT_FLAG.value)
+
+  def test_parse_raises_type_error(self):
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(
+        TypeError,
+        r'flagsaver\.as_parsed\(\) cannot parse flagsaver_test_int_flag\. '
+        r'Expected a single string or sequence of strings but .*int.* was '
+        r'provided\.'):
+      manager = flagsaver.as_parsed(flagsaver_test_int_flag=123)
+      del manager
+
+
+class SetUpTearDownTest(absltest.TestCase):
+  """Example using a single flagsaver in setUp."""
 
   def setUp(self):
+    super().setUp()
     self.saved_flag_values = flagsaver.save_flag_values()
 
   def tearDown(self):
+    super().tearDown()
     flagsaver.restore_flag_values(self.saved_flag_values)
 
   def test_mutate1(self):
@@ -360,28 +516,26 @@ def test_mutate2(self):
     self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
     FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'changed0'
 
-  def test_mutate3(self):
-    # Even though other test cases change the flag, it should be
-    # restored to 'unchanged0' if the flagsaver is working.
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'changed0'
-
-  def test_mutate4(self):
-    # Even though other test cases change the flag, it should be
-    # restored to 'unchanged0' if the flagsaver is working.
-    self.assertEqual('unchanged0', FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0)
-    FLAGS.flagsaver_test_flag0 = 'changed0'
 
-
-class FlagSaverBadUsageTest(absltest.TestCase):
-  """Tests that certain kinds of improper usages raise errors."""
-
-  def test_flag_saver_on_class(self):
+@parameterized.named_parameters(
+    dict(
+        testcase_name='flagsaver.flagsaver',
+        flagsaver_method=flagsaver.flagsaver,
+    ),
+    dict(
+        testcase_name='flagsaver.as_parsed',
+        flagsaver_method=flagsaver.as_parsed,
+    ),
+)
+class BadUsageTest(parameterized.TestCase):
+  """Tests that improper usage (such as decorating a class) raise errors."""
+
+  def test_flag_saver_on_class(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
 
       # WRONG. Don't do this.
       # Consider the correct usage example in FlagSaverSetUpTearDownUsageTest.
-      @flagsaver.flagsaver
+      @flagsaver_method
       class FooTest(absltest.TestCase):
 
         def test_tautology(self):
@@ -389,12 +543,12 @@ def test_tautology(self):
 
       del FooTest
 
-  def test_flag_saver_call_on_class(self):
+  def test_flag_saver_call_on_class(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
 
       # WRONG. Don't do this.
       # Consider the correct usage example in FlagSaverSetUpTearDownUsageTest.
-      @flagsaver.flagsaver()
+      @flagsaver_method()
       class FooTest(absltest.TestCase):
 
         def test_tautology(self):
@@ -402,12 +556,12 @@ def test_tautology(self):
 
       del FooTest
 
-  def test_flag_saver_with_overrides_on_class(self):
+  def test_flag_saver_with_overrides_on_class(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
 
       # WRONG. Don't do this.
       # Consider the correct usage example in FlagSaverSetUpTearDownUsageTest.
-      @flagsaver.flagsaver(foo='bar')
+      @flagsaver_method(foo='bar')
       class FooTest(absltest.TestCase):
 
         def test_tautology(self):
@@ -415,48 +569,57 @@ def test_tautology(self):
 
       del FooTest
 
-  def test_multiple_positional_parameters(self):
+  def test_multiple_positional_parameters(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
       func_a = lambda: None
       func_b = lambda: None
-      flagsaver.flagsaver(func_a, func_b)
+      flagsaver_method(func_a, func_b)
 
-  def test_both_positional_and_keyword_parameters(self):
+  def test_both_positional_and_keyword_parameters(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
       func_a = lambda: None
-      flagsaver.flagsaver(func_a, flagsaver_test_flag0='new value')
+      flagsaver_method(func_a, flagsaver_test_flag0='new value')
 
-  def test_duplicate_holder_parameters(self):
+  def test_duplicate_holder_parameters(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
-      flagsaver.flagsaver((INT_FLAG, 45), (INT_FLAG, 45))
+      flagsaver_method((INT_FLAG, 45), (INT_FLAG, 45))
 
-  def test_duplicate_holder_and_kw_parameter(self):
+  def test_duplicate_holder_and_kw_parameter(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
-      flagsaver.flagsaver((INT_FLAG, 45), **{INT_FLAG.name: 45})
+      flagsaver_method((INT_FLAG, 45), **{INT_FLAG.name: 45})
 
-  def test_both_positional_and_holder_parameters(self):
+  def test_both_positional_and_holder_parameters(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
       func_a = lambda: None
-      flagsaver.flagsaver(func_a, (INT_FLAG, 45))
+      flagsaver_method(func_a, (INT_FLAG, 45))
 
-  def test_holder_parameters_wrong_shape(self):
+  def test_holder_parameters_wrong_shape(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
-      flagsaver.flagsaver(INT_FLAG)
+      flagsaver_method(INT_FLAG)
 
-  def test_holder_parameters_tuple_too_long(self):
+  def test_holder_parameters_tuple_too_long(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
       # Even if it is a bool flag, it should be a tuple
-      flagsaver.flagsaver((INT_FLAG, 4, 5))
+      flagsaver_method((INT_FLAG, 4, 5))
 
-  def test_holder_parameters_tuple_wrong_type(self):
+  def test_holder_parameters_tuple_wrong_type(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
       # Even if it is a bool flag, it should be a tuple
-      flagsaver.flagsaver((4, INT_FLAG))
+      flagsaver_method((4, INT_FLAG))
 
-  def test_both_wrong_positional_parameters(self):
+  def test_both_wrong_positional_parameters(self, flagsaver_method):
     with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
       func_a = lambda: None
-      flagsaver.flagsaver(func_a, STR_FLAG, '45')
+      flagsaver_method(func_a, STR_FLAG, '45')
+
+  def test_context_manager_no_call(self, flagsaver_method):
+    # The exact exception that's raised appears to be system specific.
+    with self.assertRaises((AttributeError, TypeError)):
+      # Wrong. You must call the flagsaver method before using it as a CM.
+      with flagsaver_method:
+        # We don't expect to get here. A type error should happen when
+        # attempting to enter the context manager.
+        pass
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':