Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to techniques and apparatus for operating a wireless receiver of the apparatus in a high linearity mode. An example method includes operating the apparatus in a first mode with transmission of a plurality of transmit signals. The method also includes attenuating a received signal via an attenuator while operating the apparatus in the first mode. The method further includes amplifying the attenuated signal with an amplifier while operating the apparatus in the first mode. For certain aspects, the method further involves operating the apparatus in a second mode, bypassing the attenuator while operating the apparatus in the second mode, and amplifying the received signal with the amplifier while operating the apparatus in the second mode.