Phone · Google · Pixel 3 XL
Google Pixel 3 XL Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Google Pixel 3 XL
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or iOpener
- Suction cup tool
- Plastic opening picks
- T3 Torx screwdriver
- Spudger
- ESD-safe tweezers
- Soft-bristle antistatic brush
- Compressed air canister
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Pre-cut rear panel adhesive
- Microfiber cloth
Safety
- Disconnect the battery immediately upon opening the device to prevent severe short circuits.
- Wear safety glasses when working with compressed air and alcohol to avoid eye injury.
- Do not heat the rear glass above 80°C (176°F) to avoid damaging the lithium-ion battery.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power off the device
1 minTurn off the phone immediately to stop electric current from flowing through wet components. Do not attempt to charge the phone.
- 2
Eject the SIM tray
1 minInsert a SIM eject tool into the pinhole at the bottom edge to remove the SIM tray. Set the tray aside.
- 3
Heat the rear panel
3 minApply heat evenly around the perimeter of the back glass for 2 minutes to soften the factory adhesive.
- 4
Attach the suction cup
1 minPress a suction cup onto the lower third of the rear glass and gently pull upward to create a small gap.
- 5
Slice the rear adhesive
4 minInsert an opening pick into the gap and slide it carefully along the sides to cut through the perimeter tape.
- 6
Open the rear glass
2 minGently swing the glass panel open toward the right side. Do not pull it away completely yet as the fingerprint flex cable is still connected.
- 7
Unscrew the fingerprint bracket
2 minRemove the single T3 Torx screw holding the metal shield over the fingerprint sensor connector.
- 8
Disconnect the fingerprint sensor
2 minPry the fingerprint sensor flex cable straight up from its motherboard socket using a plastic spudger. Set the rear glass aside.
- 9
Unscrew the motherboard bracket
3 minRemove the T3 Torx screws securing the upper motherboard shield and lift the bracket out.
- 10
Disconnect the battery cable
2 minUse a spudger to disconnect the battery flex cable from the motherboard to fully cut power.
- 11
Remove the main logic board
5 minDisconnect all remaining camera and ribbon connectors, unscrew the retaining screws, and carefully lift out the motherboard.
- 12
Remove the daughterboard assembly
4 minUnscrew and remove the bottom daughterboard containing the USB-C charging port and speaker assembly.
- 13
Clean components with isopropyl alcohol
10 minSubmerge a soft brush in 99% isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub away all liquid residue and corrosion from both circuit boards.
- 14
Dry components with compressed air
3 minUse short bursts of compressed air to blow out remaining moisture and alcohol from underneath chips and connector housings.
- 15
Reinstall the main logic board
5 minPlace the cleaned motherboard back into the frame and reattach all display, sensor, and antenna flex cables.
- 16
Reinstall the daughterboard assembly
4 minPosition the charging port daughterboard in the bottom section of the frame and secure it with its screws.
- 17
Reconnect the battery cable
2 minSnap the battery connector firmly back onto its motherboard socket.
- 18
Reseal and attach the rear glass
5 minConnect the fingerprint flex cable, install its shield, apply new adhesive strips to the frame, and press the rear glass into place.
After your Google Pixel 3 XL water damage repair
Power the Pixel 3 XL 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 Google Pixel 3 XL job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Google Pixel 3 XL repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
