Phone · Google · Pixel 4
Google Pixel 4 Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Google Pixel 4
Before you begin
Tools
- Precision Torx T3 screwdriver
- Plastic spudger
- Opening picks
- Suction handle
- Soft anti-static ESD brush
- Tweezers
- Heat gun or iOpener
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Pre-cut rear glass adhesive strip
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- Small shallow immersion container
Safety
- Perform the repair in a well-ventilated room to prevent inhaling alcohol fumes.
- Wear eye protection when scrubbing liquid corrosion to prevent chemical splashes.
- Ensure the battery is disconnected immediately before cleaning to avoid short-circuiting the board.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off and Eject SIM Tray
1 minTurn off the Google Pixel 4 completely and insert a SIM eject tool into the tray hole near the left frame.
- 2
Heat Back Glass Cover
2 minApply a heat gun or iOpener to the rear glass perimeter for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
- 3
Slice Rear Panel Adhesive
4 minAttach a suction handle near the bottom edge, lift slightly, and insert an opening pick to slice around all edges.
- 4
Disconnect Flash Flex Cable
2 minCarefully tilt open the rear glass and use a spudger to pry up the rear flash flex cable connector.
- 5
Unscrew Midframe Bracket
3 minRemove the T3 Torx screws securing the upper graphite shield and wireless charging coil to the frame.
- 6
Disconnect Battery Flex
1 minPry up the battery press connector immediately using a spudger to cut electrical power to the system.
- 7
Disconnect Display and Daughterboard Cables
3 minUnplug the display connector flex, front camera press connectors, and lower sub-board ribbon cables.
- 8
Unscrew Main Logic Board
3 minRemove all remaining T3 Torx screws holding the motherboard onto the internal aluminum frame.
- 9
Extract Main Logic Board
2 minGently lift the logic board out of the chassis from the top edge using plastic opening tools.
- 10
Scrub Board with Isopropyl Alcohol
5 minDip an anti-static soft brush into 99% isopropyl alcohol and scrub off all visible liquid corrosion and mineral deposits.
- 11
Soak Board in Isopropyl Bath
5 minSubmerge the stripped motherboard in a small tray filled with 99% isopropyl alcohol for five minutes to displace hidden moisture.
- 12
Clean Chassis and USB Port
4 minUse a brush dampened with isopropyl alcohol to clean the charging port assembly and battery cavity inside the phone frame.
- 13
Air Dry Cleaned Components
15 minSet the logic board on a clean microfiber cloth in a ventilated space and allow it to dry for 15 minutes.
- 14
Reinstall Logic Board and Screws
3 minLower the dry logic board back into the chassis and replace the T3 Torx retaining screws.
- 15
Reconnect All Internal Flex Cables
3 minSnap the display, sub-board, and camera connectors back into place, finishing with the battery press connector.
- 16
Apply New Rear Adhesive and Seal
5 minClear away old glue, stick a fresh pre-cut adhesive seal to the frame, reconnect the flash cable, and press the back cover down.
After your Google Pixel 4 water damage repair
Power the Pixel 4 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 4 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 4 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
