The various embodiments include methods implemented by a first mobile device for updating presence information for a second mobile device stored in memory of the first mobile device when the first mobile device determines that a calculated update quantification exceeds a particular threshold value. In an embodiment, the first mobile device may select one channel from a plurality of available communication channels in response to determining that the update quantification exceeds a threshold value. In a further embodiment, the first mobile device may update the presence information of the second mobile device via that selected channel.