The present disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for robust compatibility mode communication. A user equipment may determine whether a robust compatibility mode (RCM) is supported between the UE and the base station. The UE also may establish a RCM connection with the base station when the RCM is supported between the UE and the base station. The UE also may receive, from the base station, through the RCM connection, a configuration associated with the RCM. The UE also may update a behavior of the UE for a current situation of the UE based on the configuration. The UE also may transmit, to the base station, a request to access a wireless network with the updated behavior of the UE.