Water Damage Repair
Board-level liquid damage repair and data recovery
Expert water damage repair you can trust
When liquid gets inside a phone, minerals and electricity react to cause corrosion and short circuits on the logic board (the phone's main circuit board). That's why rice doesn't work — it can't reach or remove corrosion. We disconnect the battery immediately, check the liquid contact indicators, and fully disassemble the device. The logic board goes through an ultrasonic bath with isopropyl alcohol to lift corrosion from under tiny components. We then use a DC power supply and thermal camera to find shorted parts, repair them with board-level micro-soldering, and attempt data recovery so your photos and contacts are protected.
What's included
- Immediate battery disconnect and full teardown
- Liquid contact indicator (LCI) inspection
- Ultrasonic isopropyl alcohol bath for the logic board
- Short-circuit detection with thermal imaging
- Board-level micro-soldering repair
- Data recovery attempt
- Full function testing after repair
What our technicians mean
- Logic board
- The phone's main circuit board, holding the processor, memory, and power chips. Liquid damage here needs board-level repair.
- Liquid contact indicator (LCI)
- A small sticker inside your phone that changes color when exposed to liquid. It helps us confirm and map the damage.
- Ultrasonic cleaning
- High-frequency sound waves in an alcohol bath shake loose corrosion from places a brush can't reach.
- Short circuit
- When liquid lets electricity flow where it shouldn't, damaging chips. We locate shorts with a thermal camera.
How the repair works
A simple, transparent process designed to get your device back fast — no appointment required.
Emergency intake
We disconnect the battery right away to stop active short circuits and further corrosion.
Ultrasonic cleaning
The logic board is cleaned in an isopropyl alcohol bath that removes corrosion from under components.
Short detection & repair
A DC power supply and thermal camera locate shorted parts, which are micro-soldered or replaced.
Recovery & testing
We attempt data recovery and test charging, audio, cameras, display, and connectivity.
Signs you need a water damage repair
- Device was submerged or splashed
- Won't power on or boot-loops after getting wet
- Screen shows lines, spots, or discoloration
- Muffled speakers or microphone
- Fogged camera lens or random restarts
Common questions
Still unsure? Call your nearest Mobile Care location and our team will help.
How soon should I bring in a water-damaged device?
As soon as possible. Do not charge or turn it on, and skip the rice. The sooner we disconnect the battery and clean the board, the higher the recovery rate.
My phone is water-resistant (IP68). Why did it get damaged?
IP ratings are tested in fresh water under lab conditions, and the seals weaken with age, drops, and previous repairs. Salt water, pools, and hot showers can also get past them.
Can you recover my data?
We attempt data recovery on every water-damage repair. Success depends on the severity, but we prioritize saving your photos and contacts.