Various embodiments are described for apparatuses, systems, and methods for pre-forwarding data packets for conditional handover. A UE may connect to a serving base station and perform measurement(s) of one or more neighboring base stations. The UE may provide measurement report(s) corresponding to the measurement(s) to the serving base station. The UE may receive handover assistance information from the serving base station. The handover assistance information may identify at least one neighboring base station that receives downlink packet forwarding of downlink packets intended for the UE prior to handover. The UE may evaluate handover conditions of the neighboring base stations, including the at least one neighboring base station. The UE may perform handover to a first neighboring base station of the at least one neighboring base station based on the at least one neighboring base station receiving downlink packet forwarding of downlink packets intended for the UE prior to handover.