A network entity may determine whether a network context of a device is stored in the device or in the network based, at least in part, on a preference or capability of the device, as reported by the device during attachment to the network entity. The context may be stored in, and retrieved from, a dedicated context storage function that is independent of the network entity. A context storage function may be partitioned, or separate storage functions used, to automatically group and track access network contexts, core network contexts, or network slice contexts. The context storage function may provide to the device an index, such as a link or other identifier to be used in retrieving the stored context information. The context storage function may further provide a token to secure re-attachment communications among the device, the network entity, and the context storage function.