This study examines the relationship between family communication patterns, family mobile communication, and Chinese international students' mental well-being in the United States. Two-hundred-and-thirty-seven respondents recruited by snowball sampling method completed an online survey that assessed their family conformity and conversation orientations, COVID-19 related influences and adjustment, family mobile communication behaviors, and mental health status. Most Chinese international students report negative impacts of the pandemic in both daily lives and aggravated mental distress. Near half of the respondents report not adjusted well to the pandemic, increased family mobile communication frequency, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Results indicated that conformity orientation predicts a more severe impact from the pandemic, lower family mobile communication satisfaction, and all three mental illnesses. Conversation orientation positively predicts family mobile communication frequency and satisfaction and is an important protective factor for Chinese international students' mental well-being.