Phone · Apple · iPhone 4S
Apple iPhone 4S Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Apple iPhone 4S
Before you begin
Tools
- Pentalobe P2 screwdriver
- Phillips #000 screwdriver
- Spudger tool
- Tweezers
- SIM eject tool
- Soft-bristle brush
- Compressed air duster
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Microfiber cloth
- Shallow container
Safety
- Disconnect the battery immediately to reduce the risk of a board-level short circuit.
- Wear eye protection when using compressed air and cleaning solvents.
- Work in a well-ventilated area while using high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off Device
1 minImmediately power off the iPhone to prevent electrical short circuits on the logic board.
- 2
Remove Bottom Screws
2 minUse a Pentalobe P2 screwdriver to remove the two screws located on either side of the dock connector.
- 3
Slide Rear Panel
1 minPush the rear glass panel upward toward the top of the phone until it slides about 2 millimeters.
- 4
Lift Off Back Cover
1 minPinch the rear glass panel and lift it away from the phone body.
- 5
Unscrew Battery Connector
2 minRemove the single Phillips #000 screw securing the battery bracket to the logic board.
- 6
Disconnect Battery
2 minGently pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard using a plastic spudger.
- 7
Remove Battery
3 minPull the clear plastic tab upward to peel the battery away from the rear casing adhesive.
- 8
Eject SIM Tray
1 minInsert a SIM eject tool or paperclip into the SIM tray hole and push firmly to pop it out.
- 9
Remove Logic Board Shield
4 minUnscrew the four Phillips screws securing the top EMI cable shield and lift it off with tweezers.
- 10
Disconnect Flex Cables
5 minUse the flat end of a spudger to detach five ribbon cable connectors along the top edge of the logic board.
- 11
Extract Logic Board
5 minRemove the remaining mounting screws and carefully lift the logic board out of the phone chassis.
- 12
Soak Board in Alcohol
10 minSubmerge the logic board completely in a container of 99% isopropyl alcohol for 10 minutes to displace liquid.
- 13
Scrub Corrosion
8 minGently scrub corrosion and corrosion deposits off all board chips and connectors using a soft brush.
- 14
Dry Components
15 minBlow away residual alcohol with compressed air and allow the board to air dry completely in a warm spot.
- 15
Reassemble and Test
10 minReinstall the logic board into the frame, reconnect all flex cables, attach the battery, and close the rear panel.
After your Apple iPhone 4S water damage repair
Power the iPhone 4S back on and test the water damage repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Apple iPhone 4S job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Apple iPhone 4S repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
