Phone · Apple · iPhone XS
Apple iPhone XS Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Apple iPhone XS
Before you begin
Tools
- P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver
- Y000 Tri-point Screwdriver
- Standoff Screwdriver
- Plastic Spudger
- Opening Picks
- Suction Cup Tool
- Heat Gun
- Tweezers
- Soft Bristle Brush
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Compressed Air Can
- Lint-Free Wipes
- Replacement Display Adhesive Seal
Safety
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic damage to logic board components.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.
- Do not connect power or attempt to charge the device while liquid or alcohol residue remains inside.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power off the iPhone
1 minPress and hold the Side button and either Volume button, then drag the slider to completely turn off the device.
- 2
Remove bottom pentalobe screws
2 minUse a P2 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two 6.9 mm screws located on either side of the Lightning port.
- 3
Heat the lower display edge
2 minApply a heat gun set to low heat along the bottom edge of the display for 60 seconds to soften the adhesive.
- 4
Attach suction cup and lift display
3 minPlace a suction cup on the lower half of the screen and pull upward firmly to create a small gap near the bottom edge.
- 5
Slice perimeter screen adhesive
4 minInsert an opening pick into the gap and slide it along the left and right edges to slice through the water-resistant adhesive.
- 6
Open display to the right
2 minGently swing the display open from the left edge like a book, leaning it against a solid object to avoid straining cables.
- 7
Unscrew lower display connector bracket
3 minUse a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the metal bracket over the battery and screen connectors.
- 8
Disconnect the battery flex cable
2 minPry the battery connector straight up from its socket on the logic board using the flat end of a spudger.
- 9
Disconnect display and sensor flex cables
3 minDisconnect the OLED display, touch digitizer, and front speaker flex cables from the logic board with a plastic spudger.
- 10
Eject the SIM card tray
1 minInsert a SIM eject tool or paperclip into the hole on the side of the device to pop out the SIM tray.
- 11
Unscrew logic board retaining screws
4 minRemove all screws holding the logic board to the frame using a standoff driver and Y000 tri-point bit.
- 12
Lift out the logic board
3 minDisconnect all remaining flex cable connectors and carefully lift the logic board out of the phone body.
- 13
Scrub logic board with isopropyl alcohol
5 minSubmerge or thoroughly saturate the logic board in 99% isopropyl alcohol and gently brush away corrosion with a soft brush.
- 14
Dry logic board with compressed air
15 minUse short bursts of compressed air to remove liquid residue, then allow the logic board to dry completely for 30 minutes.
- 15
Inspect components under magnification
5 minCheck the logic board for remaining mineral deposits, damaged traces, or burnt surface-mount components using a magnifying glass.
- 16
Reinstall logic board and reassemble phone
8 minPlace the logic board back into the chassis, reconnect all internal flex cables, install new display adhesive, and reattach the screen.
After your Apple iPhone XS water damage repair
Power the iPhone XS 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 XS 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 XS repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
