Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S2
Samsung Galaxy S2 Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Samsung Galaxy S2
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #00 Screwdriver
- Plastic Opening Tools
- Plastic Spudger
- Soft Toothbrush
- Tweezers
- Magnifying glass or headlamp
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Lint-free wipes
- Small shallow container
Safety
- Remove the battery immediately to reduce the risk of electrical short circuits and fires.
- Work with high-concentration isopropyl alcohol in a well-ventilated area away from open flames.
- Wear eye protection when scrubbing components to avoid splashes from alcohol or corrosion debris.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off and Remove Back Cover
1 minPry up the notch on the rear panel using a plastic opening tool or fingernail. Remove the back cover from the phone chassis immediately.
- 2
Pry Out the Battery
1 minLift the battery out from the bottom recess to cut all power to the device. Never attempt to power on a water-damaged phone before cleaning.
- 3
Eject SIM and MicroSD Cards
2 minSlide the SIM card and MicroSD card out of their metal tray slots. Wipe them off with a lint-free cloth and set them aside.
- 4
Remove Midframe Screws
3 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the seven screws securing the midframe to the display assembly.
- 5
Unclip the Rear Midframe
4 minInsert a plastic opening pick between the front glass bezel and the rear plastic housing. Slide around the perimeter to pop the plastic clips open.
- 6
Disconnect the Touchscreen Flex Cable
2 minUse the flat end of a spudger to gently pop the touchscreen flex connector off the motherboard.
- 7
Disconnect the Display Assembly Cable
2 minPry up the press-fit display ribbon cable connector located on the top left side of the main board.
- 8
Disconnect Front Camera and Sensor Module
2 minDisconnect the ribbon cable for the front-facing camera and proximity sensor array from the upper section of the motherboard.
- 9
Unplug the Headphone Jack Flex Cable
2 minDetach the headphone jack connector flex cable located near the top corner of the board.
- 10
Disconnect Lower Charging Port Ribbon Cable
2 minPop off the lower flex connector that connects the micro-USB charging port assembly to the motherboard.
- 11
Lift Out the Motherboard
3 minGently lift the motherboard from the bottom edge and pull it free from the plastic display frame.
- 12
Submerge Motherboard in Isopropyl Alcohol
10 minPlace the motherboard in a container filled with 99% isopropyl alcohol to displace moisture trapped under shield cans.
- 13
Scrub Corrosion with Soft Brush
8 minGently scrub white or green corrosion deposits around chips and connectors using a soft toothbrush dipped in high-purity alcohol.
- 14
Inspect Board Under Magnification
5 minUse a magnifying glass to check for missing components, severe trace corrosion, or burnt capacitors.
- 15
Air Dry Motherboard Completely
15 minSet the motherboard on a lint-free towel in a warm, well-ventilated area until all alcohol evaporates completely.
- 16
Reinstall Motherboard into Chassis
3 minAlign the dry motherboard over the front assembly and carefully lower it into position.
- 17
Reconnect Flex Cable Connectors
4 minPress down on all flex cable connectors firmly until they snap back into place on the motherboard.
- 18
Snap Rear Midframe into Place
4 minAlign the midframe over the body, press firmly around the edges until it snaps tight, and reinstall the seven Phillips screws.
After your Samsung Galaxy S2 water damage repair
Power the Galaxy S2 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 Samsung Galaxy S2 job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Samsung Galaxy S2 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
