diff --git a/doc/changelog.dox b/doc/changelog.dox
index 4b9ac12b66..9c425ef7b8 100644
--- a/doc/changelog.dox
+++ b/doc/changelog.dox
@@ -173,6 +173,11 @@ See also:
     well as support in @ref Trade::AnySceneImporter "AnySceneImporter"
 -   @ref Trade::LightData got extended to support light attenuation and range
     parameters as well and spot light inner and outer angle
+-   @ref Trade::AbstractImporter, @ref Trade::AbstractImageConverter and
+    @ref Trade::AbstractSceneConverter now has @relativeref{Trade::AbstractImporter,addFlags()} and
+    @relativeref{Trade::AbstractImporter,clearFlags()} convenience helpers that
+    are encouraged over @relativeref{Trade::AbstractImporter,setFlags()} as it
+    avoid accidentally clearing default flags potentially added in the future.
 
 @subsubsection changelog-latest-new-vk Vk library
 
diff --git a/src/Magnum/MeshTools/sceneconverter.cpp b/src/Magnum/MeshTools/sceneconverter.cpp
index 8e1676c3b7..0bdbc45cb0 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/MeshTools/sceneconverter.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/MeshTools/sceneconverter.cpp
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ used.)")
     }
 
     /* Set options, if passed */
-    if(args.isSet("verbose")) importer->setFlags(Trade::ImporterFlag::Verbose);
+    if(args.isSet("verbose")) importer->addFlags(Trade::ImporterFlag::Verbose);
     Implementation::setOptions(*importer, args.value("importer-options"));
 
     std::chrono::high_resolution_clock::duration importTime;
@@ -766,7 +766,7 @@ used.)")
         }
 
         /* Set options, if passed */
-        if(args.isSet("verbose")) converter->setFlags(Trade::SceneConverterFlag::Verbose);
+        if(args.isSet("verbose")) converter->addFlags(Trade::SceneConverterFlag::Verbose);
         if(i < args.arrayValueCount("converter-options"))
             Implementation::setOptions(*converter, args.arrayValue("converter-options", i));
 
diff --git a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.cpp b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.cpp
index 0443bb7dbb..e43a4ee79f 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.cpp
@@ -95,6 +95,14 @@ void AbstractConverter::setFlags(const ConverterFlags flags) {
 
 void AbstractConverter::doSetFlags(ConverterFlags) {}
 
+void AbstractConverter::addFlags(ConverterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags|flags);
+}
+
+void AbstractConverter::clearFlags(ConverterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags & ~flags);
+}
+
 void AbstractConverter::setInputFileCallback(Containers::Optional<Containers::ArrayView<const char>>(*callback)(const std::string&, InputFileCallbackPolicy, void*), void* const userData) {
     /* Clearing the *File bits as those are present in *Data as well and thus
        this would pass even if only file conversion/validation is supported,
diff --git a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.h b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.h
index a4030950de..61ff94112b 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.h
+++ b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/AbstractConverter.h
@@ -471,7 +471,9 @@ class MAGNUM_SHADERTOOLS_EXPORT AbstractConverter: public PluginManager::Abstrac
          *
          * Some flags can be set only if the converter supports particular
          * features, see documentation of each @ref ConverterFlag for more
-         * information. By default no flags are set.
+         * information. By default no flags are set. To avoid clearing
+         * potential future default flags by accident, prefer to use
+         * @ref addFlags() and @ref clearFlags() instead.
          *
          * Corresponds to the `-q` / `--quiet`, `-v` / `--verbose`,
          * `--warning-as-error` and `-E` / `--preprocess-only` options
@@ -479,6 +481,26 @@ class MAGNUM_SHADERTOOLS_EXPORT AbstractConverter: public PluginManager::Abstrac
          */
         void setFlags(ConverterFlags flags);
 
+        /**
+         * @brief Add converter flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ORed with @p flags.
+         * Useful for preserving the defaults.
+         * @see @ref clearFlags()
+         */
+        void addFlags(ConverterFlags flags);
+
+        /**
+         * @brief Clear converter flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ANDed with inverse of
+         * @p flags. Useful for removing default flags.
+         * @see @ref addFlags()
+         */
+        void clearFlags(ConverterFlags flags);
+
         /**
          * @brief Input file callback function
          *
diff --git a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/Test/AbstractConverterTest.cpp b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/Test/AbstractConverterTest.cpp
index 56b75ac645..8d87988a38 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/Test/AbstractConverterTest.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/Test/AbstractConverterTest.cpp
@@ -359,12 +359,21 @@ void AbstractConverterTest::setFlags() {
 
         ConverterFlags _flags;
     } converter;
-
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ConverterFlags{});
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ConverterFlags{});
+
     converter.setFlags(ConverterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ConverterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ConverterFlag::Verbose);
+
+    /** @todo use a real flag when we have more than one */
+    converter.addFlags(ConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ConverterFlag::Verbose|ConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ConverterFlag::Verbose|ConverterFlag(4));
+
+    converter.clearFlags(ConverterFlag::Verbose);
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ConverterFlag(4));
 }
 
 void AbstractConverterTest::setFlagsBothQuietAndVerbose() {
diff --git a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/shaderconverter.cpp b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/shaderconverter.cpp
index ea4098ef91..bca984b013 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/shaderconverter.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/ShaderTools/shaderconverter.cpp
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ see documentation of a particular converter for more information.)")
             }
         }
 
-        converter->setFlags(flags);
+        converter->addFlags(flags);
 
         /* If we want just SPIR-V info, convert to a SPIR-V and exit */
         if(args.isSet("info")) {
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.cpp b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.cpp
index 3aea1c9ec0..29db56c33e 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.cpp
@@ -85,6 +85,14 @@ void AbstractImageConverter::setFlags(ImageConverterFlags flags) {
 
 void AbstractImageConverter::doSetFlags(ImageConverterFlags) {}
 
+void AbstractImageConverter::addFlags(ImageConverterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags|flags);
+}
+
+void AbstractImageConverter::clearFlags(ImageConverterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags & ~flags);
+}
+
 Containers::Optional<Image2D> AbstractImageConverter::exportToImage(const ImageView2D& image) {
     CORRADE_ASSERT(features() & ImageConverterFeature::ConvertImage,
         "Trade::AbstractImageConverter::exportToImage(): feature not supported", {});
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.h b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.h
index 63ea0f380f..92f29855a7 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.h
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImageConverter.h
@@ -262,13 +262,35 @@ class MAGNUM_TRADE_EXPORT AbstractImageConverter: public PluginManager::Abstract
          *
          * Some flags can be set only if the converter supports particular
          * features, see documentation of each @ref ImageConverterFlag for more
-         * information. By default no flags are set.
+         * information. By default no flags are set. To avoid clearing
+         * potential future default flags by accident, prefer to use
+         * @ref addFlags() and @ref clearFlags() instead.
          *
          * Corresponds to the `-v` / `--verbose` option in
          * @ref magnum-imageconverter "magnum-imageconverter".
          */
         void setFlags(ImageConverterFlags flags);
 
+        /**
+         * @brief Add converter flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ORed with @p flags.
+         * Useful for preserving the defaults.
+         * @see @ref clearFlags()
+         */
+        void addFlags(ImageConverterFlags flags);
+
+        /**
+         * @brief Clear converter flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ANDed with inverse of
+         * @p flags. Useful for removing default flags.
+         * @see @ref addFlags()
+         */
+        void clearFlags(ImageConverterFlags flags);
+
         /**
          * @brief Convert image to different format
          *
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.cpp b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.cpp
index 947cbd1bb8..7cfc32bb5f 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.cpp
@@ -104,6 +104,14 @@ void AbstractImporter::setFlags(ImporterFlags flags) {
 
 void AbstractImporter::doSetFlags(ImporterFlags) {}
 
+void AbstractImporter::addFlags(ImporterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags|flags);
+}
+
+void AbstractImporter::clearFlags(ImporterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags & ~flags);
+}
+
 void AbstractImporter::setFileCallback(Containers::Optional<Containers::ArrayView<const char>>(*callback)(const std::string&, InputFileCallbackPolicy, void*), void* const userData) {
     CORRADE_ASSERT(!isOpened(), "Trade::AbstractImporter::setFileCallback(): can't be set while a file is opened", );
     CORRADE_ASSERT(features() & (ImporterFeature::FileCallback|ImporterFeature::OpenData), "Trade::AbstractImporter::setFileCallback(): importer supports neither loading from data nor via callbacks, callbacks can't be used", );
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.h b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.h
index c031a1c95b..720c40b3ee 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.h
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractImporter.h
@@ -397,7 +397,9 @@ class MAGNUM_TRADE_EXPORT AbstractImporter: public PluginManager::AbstractManagi
          * It's expected that this function is called *before* a file is
          * opened. Some flags can be set only if the importer supports
          * particular features, see documentation of each @ref ImporterFlag for
-         * more information. By default no flags are set.
+         * more information. By default no flags are set. To avoid clearing
+         * potential future default flags by accident, prefer to use
+         * @ref addFlags() and @ref clearFlags() instead.
          *
          * Corresponds to the `-v` / `--verbose` option in
          * @ref magnum-imageconverter "magnum-imageconverter",
@@ -406,6 +408,26 @@ class MAGNUM_TRADE_EXPORT AbstractImporter: public PluginManager::AbstractManagi
          */
         void setFlags(ImporterFlags flags);
 
+        /**
+         * @brief Add importer flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ORed with @p flags.
+         * Useful for preserving the defaults.
+         * @see @ref clearFlags()
+         */
+        void addFlags(ImporterFlags flags);
+
+        /**
+         * @brief Clear importer flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ANDed with inverse of
+         * @p flags. Useful for removing default flags.
+         * @see @ref addFlags()
+         */
+        void clearFlags(ImporterFlags flags);
+
         /**
          * @brief File opening callback function
          *
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.cpp b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.cpp
index 6c1a6c7de8..7807c8d0a2 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.cpp
@@ -89,6 +89,14 @@ void AbstractSceneConverter::setFlags(SceneConverterFlags flags) {
 
 void AbstractSceneConverter::doSetFlags(SceneConverterFlags) {}
 
+void AbstractSceneConverter::addFlags(SceneConverterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags|flags);
+}
+
+void AbstractSceneConverter::clearFlags(SceneConverterFlags flags) {
+    setFlags(_flags & ~flags);
+}
+
 Containers::Optional<MeshData> AbstractSceneConverter::convert(const MeshData& mesh) {
     CORRADE_ASSERT(features() & SceneConverterFeature::ConvertMesh,
         "Trade::AbstractSceneConverter::convert(): mesh conversion not supported", {});
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.h b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.h
index e28d0edf9a..9b2d7aae3d 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.h
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/AbstractSceneConverter.h
@@ -231,13 +231,35 @@ class MAGNUM_TRADE_EXPORT AbstractSceneConverter: public PluginManager::Abstract
          *
          * Some flags can be set only if the converter supports particular
          * features, see documentation of each @ref SceneConverterFlag for more
-         * information. By default no flags are set.
+         * information. By default no flags are set. To avoid clearing
+         * potential future default flags by accident, prefer to use
+         * @ref addFlags() and @ref clearFlags() instead.
          *
          * Corresponds to the `-v` / `--verbose` option in
          * @ref magnum-sceneconverter "magnum-sceneconverter".
          */
         void setFlags(SceneConverterFlags flags);
 
+        /**
+         * @brief Add converter flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ORed with @p flags.
+         * Useful for preserving the defaults.
+         * @see @ref clearFlags()
+         */
+        void addFlags(SceneConverterFlags flags);
+
+        /**
+         * @brief Clear converter flags
+         * @m_since_latest
+         *
+         * Calls @ref setFlags() with the existing flags ANDed with inverse of
+         * @p flags. Useful for removing default flags.
+         * @see @ref addFlags()
+         */
+        void clearFlags(SceneConverterFlags flags);
+
         /**
          * @brief Convert a mesh
          *
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImageConverterTest.cpp b/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImageConverterTest.cpp
index a2718951e4..d19264257f 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImageConverterTest.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImageConverterTest.cpp
@@ -170,12 +170,21 @@ void AbstractImageConverterTest::setFlags() {
 
         ImageConverterFlags _flags;
     } converter;
-
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ImageConverterFlags{});
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ImageConverterFlags{});
+
     converter.setFlags(ImageConverterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ImageConverterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ImageConverterFlag::Verbose);
+
+    /** @todo use a real flag when we have more than one */
+    converter.addFlags(ImageConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ImageConverterFlag::Verbose|ImageConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ImageConverterFlag::Verbose|ImageConverterFlag(4));
+
+    converter.clearFlags(ImageConverterFlag::Verbose);
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), ImageConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, ImageConverterFlag(4));
 }
 
 void AbstractImageConverterTest::setFlagsNotImplemented() {
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImporterTest.cpp b/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImporterTest.cpp
index e535dc95eb..6013933e70 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImporterTest.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractImporterTest.cpp
@@ -540,12 +540,21 @@ void AbstractImporterTest::setFlags() {
 
         ImporterFlags _flags;
     } importer;
-
     CORRADE_COMPARE(importer.flags(), ImporterFlags{});
     CORRADE_COMPARE(importer._flags, ImporterFlags{});
+
     importer.setFlags(ImporterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(importer.flags(), ImporterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(importer._flags, ImporterFlag::Verbose);
+
+    /** @todo use a real flag when we have more than one */
+    importer.addFlags(ImporterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(importer.flags(), ImporterFlag::Verbose|ImporterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(importer._flags, ImporterFlag::Verbose|ImporterFlag(4));
+
+    importer.clearFlags(ImporterFlag::Verbose);
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(importer.flags(), ImporterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(importer._flags, ImporterFlag(4));
 }
 
 void AbstractImporterTest::setFlagsNotImplemented() {
@@ -575,7 +584,13 @@ void AbstractImporterTest::setFlagsFileOpened() {
     std::ostringstream out;
     Error redirectError{&out};
     importer.setFlags(ImporterFlag::Verbose);
-    CORRADE_COMPARE(out.str(), "Trade::AbstractImporter::setFlags(): can't be set while a file is opened\n");
+    importer.addFlags(ImporterFlag::Verbose);
+    importer.clearFlags(ImporterFlag::Verbose);
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(out.str(),
+        "Trade::AbstractImporter::setFlags(): can't be set while a file is opened\n"
+        /* These all call into setFlags(), so the same assert is reused */
+        "Trade::AbstractImporter::setFlags(): can't be set while a file is opened\n"
+        "Trade::AbstractImporter::setFlags(): can't be set while a file is opened\n");
 }
 
 void AbstractImporterTest::openData() {
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractSceneConverterTest.cpp b/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractSceneConverterTest.cpp
index 3fc4961165..cbf1baecbc 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractSceneConverterTest.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/Test/AbstractSceneConverterTest.cpp
@@ -142,12 +142,21 @@ void AbstractSceneConverterTest::setFlags() {
 
         SceneConverterFlags _flags;
     } converter;
-
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), SceneConverterFlags{});
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, SceneConverterFlags{});
+
     converter.setFlags(SceneConverterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), SceneConverterFlag::Verbose);
     CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, SceneConverterFlag::Verbose);
+
+    /** @todo use a real flag when we have more than one */
+    converter.addFlags(SceneConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), SceneConverterFlag::Verbose|SceneConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, SceneConverterFlag::Verbose|SceneConverterFlag(4));
+
+    converter.clearFlags(SceneConverterFlag::Verbose);
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter.flags(), SceneConverterFlag(4));
+    CORRADE_COMPARE(converter._flags, SceneConverterFlag(4));
 }
 
 void AbstractSceneConverterTest::setFlagsNotImplemented() {
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Trade/imageconverter.cpp b/src/Magnum/Trade/imageconverter.cpp
index 99cd708b52..27dc0001f2 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Trade/imageconverter.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Trade/imageconverter.cpp
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ key=true; configuration subgroups are delimited with /.)")
         }
 
         /* Set options, if passed */
-        if(args.isSet("verbose")) importer->setFlags(Trade::ImporterFlag::Verbose);
+        if(args.isSet("verbose")) importer->addFlags(Trade::ImporterFlag::Verbose);
         Implementation::setOptions(*importer, args.value("importer-options"));
 
         /* Print image info, if requested */
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ key=true; configuration subgroups are delimited with /.)")
     }
 
     /* Set options, if passed */
-    if(args.isSet("verbose")) converter->setFlags(Trade::ImageConverterFlag::Verbose);
+    if(args.isSet("verbose")) converter->addFlags(Trade::ImageConverterFlag::Verbose);
     Implementation::setOptions(*converter, args.value("converter-options"));
 
     /* Save output file */