Methods and apparatus for the utilization of mobile nodes for state transfer

Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and sending status information, eg, context and other information, used to support communication sessions with one or more end nodes, eg, mobile devices. Several of the aspects are oriented to an end node that controls the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a transfer operation, thereby eliminating any need to transmit state transfer messages between the second access node and the first access node during transfer or the use of a network core node to support state transfer. As part of a transfer status information is obtained by an end node from the current access node in encrypted form and then communicated to the new access node towards which the transfer operation is to be completed. The new access node, for example a base station, decrypts the status information and then uses it to support communications with the end node. While the information is being communicated to and from the end node by means of wireless links, since it has been encrypted by the first access node, it is secure and can be trusted by the receiving access node, for example, the node of objective access.