Apparatus and methods for operating wireless devices using unlicensed frequency ranges with minimal transmission interruptions. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods provide a mechanism for redirecting idle or inactive wireless devices to different frequencies in response to interference detection such as by 5 GHz-band radar. In one variant, the present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for allowing user device (UEs) using 5G NR-U spectrum to continue to operate upon radar detection by successfully switching the UEs to one or more frequencies that are free of radar operation. In one variant, a gNB controlling the UEs informs the AMF (access and mobility function) of a radar detection event, and the AMF initiates a paging towards idle UEs in order to allow the gNB to move the UEs to a frequency without radar operations. In another variant, a gNB switches its UEs to a different frequency without relying on the AMF.