A technology is described for adjusting repeater gain based on user equipment need. A repeater can be configured to receive a downlink signal strength indicator value of a user equipment (UE) via a wireless connection of the UE with the repeater. The repeater can be further configured to select a threshold value for the downlink signal strength indicator value. The repeater can be further configured to reduce or bypass a downlink repeater gain level when the downlink signal strength indicator value is greater than the threshold value.