Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described that provide for adjustment of an uplink timing at a user equipment (UE) based on switching a beamformed transmission beam used for communications between the UE and a base station. The UE and base station may establish a connection via a first beamformed transmission beam and an uplink timing of the first beamformed transmission beam may be determined. A timing difference between the first beamformed transmission beam and a second beamformed transmission beam may be identified and, in the event that communications are switched from the first beamformed transmission beam to the second beamformed transmission beam, the uplink timing may be adjusted based at least in part on the timing difference. Such uplink timing adjustment may be made autonomously at the UE, and may be made irrespective of a magnitude of the adjustment.