Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Heat gun or iOpener
- Plastic opening picks
- Suction handle
- Plastic spudger
- Soft bristle toothbrush
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Microfiber cloth
- Replacement rear cover adhesive
Safety
- Disconnect the battery immediately to prevent short circuits and component degradation.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.
- Wear eye protection to avoid alcohol or chemical splash hazard.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Turn Off the Device
1 minPower down your Galaxy S21 Ultra immediately to prevent short circuits. Do not attempt to charge the device while wet.
- 2
Eject the SIM Tray
1 minInsert a SIM eject tool into the hole at the bottom of the device. Press firmly to eject and remove the SIM tray.
- 3
Heat the Back Glass
2 minApply a heat gun or iOpener along the rear glass edges for two minutes to soften the perimeter adhesive.
- 4
Attach Suction Handle
2 minPlace a suction handle near the bottom edge of the rear cover and pull upward to create a small gap.
- 5
Slice Rear Adhesive
5 minInsert a plastic opening pick into the gap and slice along all four edges to sever the back glass adhesive.
- 6
Remove Rear Cover
2 minCarefully lift the rear glass cover away from the chassis and place it on a clean work surface.
- 7
Unscrew Wireless Charging Coil
4 minRemove the 15 Phillips #00 screws securing the wireless charging coil frame and upper bracket.
- 8
Detach Wireless Charging Assembly
2 minPry up the wireless charging coil press connector and peel the assembly off the battery.
- 9
Disconnect the Battery Cable
1 minUse a plastic spudger to pop the battery connector straight up off the motherboard to fully disconnect power.
- 10
Remove Loudspeaker Module
3 minRemove the screws securing the lower loudspeaker assembly and lift it out of the lower enclosure.
- 11
Disconnect Motherboard Flex Cables
3 minDisconnect the display cable, interconnect cables, and camera flex connectors from the motherboard.
- 12
Extract the Motherboard
3 minRemove the single motherboard retaining screw, then carefully lift the motherboard out of the frame.
- 13
Clean Corroded Components
10 minSubmerge the motherboard in 99% isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub corrosion using a soft toothbrush.
- 14
Inspect Under Magnification
5 minExamine board traces and socket connector pins with a magnifying glass for remaining corrosion or residue.
- 15
Dry All Internal Parts
15 minBlot components with a lint-free microfiber cloth and let them air dry completely for at least two hours.
- 16
Reassemble and Test
10 minReinstall internal components in reverse order and reapply fresh back cover adhesive before powering on.
After your Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra water damage repair
Power the Galaxy S21 Ultra 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 S21 Ultra 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 S21 Ultra repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
