A system and method are directed towards providing a user interface for controlling a communication mode of a client device. The interface enables a user to set a presence and/or a communications mode, which the client device communicates to other devices directly or via an intermediary server. The presence generally reflects the user's availability, communication capability, desire to communicate, and the like. The presence can be directly or indirectly associated with the communication mode, which can comprise SMS, IM, email voice, and the like. The interface includes a contact list an enables the user to select a mode to communicate with a contact. The communication modes associated with each contact can also be incorporated into and displayed in an email address book. The interface also indicates the communication mode of each incoming and outgoing message in conversations with one or more other client devices.