Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S3 Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Samsung Galaxy S3
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic spudger
- Plastic opening tool
- Soft antistatic brush
- Tweezers
- Compressed air can
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
- Shallow cleaning dish
Safety
- Disconnect the battery immediately to avoid electrical hazards and liquid short-circuiting.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.
- Wear safety glasses when using compressed air or brushing corrosion off circuit boards.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Remove the Back Cover
1 minInsert your fingernail or a plastic opening tool into the notch near the top of the phone. Pry the plastic cover away from the chassis.
- 2
Remove the Battery
1 minLift the battery out from the recess at the bottom edge. Removing the power source immediately prevents further short circuits.
- 3
Eject SIM and MicroSD Cards
2 minPush inward slightly to unlatch and slide out both the SIM card and microSD card from their slots. Wipe them dry immediately.
- 4
Unscrew the Rear Midframe
3 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the 10 screws securing the plastic midframe to the display assembly.
- 5
Unclip and Pry Off Midframe
3 minInsert a plastic spudger between the chrome bezel and the front glass frame. Pry gently around the perimeter to release the plastic snaps.
- 6
Disconnect Antenna Cable
2 minUse tweezers or a spudger to pry the small coaxial antenna connector straight up off its motherboard socket.
- 7
Disconnect Display and Touch Connectors
2 minPry up the press-fit connectors for the display assembly and touch screen digitizer from the motherboard.
- 8
Disconnect Front Camera Assembly
2 minUnplug the front-facing camera, earpiece, and sensor array connectors located near the top edge of the board.
- 9
Lift Out the Motherboard
2 minGently pivot the motherboard upward from the bottom and remove it completely from the phone frame. Inspect the housing for pooled liquid.
- 10
Soak Motherboard in Isopropyl Alcohol
10 minSubmerge the motherboard in a small shallow dish filled with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Allow it to soak for 5 to 10 minutes to displace trapped water.
- 11
Scrub Corrosion with Soft Brush
5 minDip a soft antistatic brush in 99% alcohol and gently scrub away any visible white or green mineral buildup on components and chips.
- 12
Dry with Compressed Air
10 minUse short bursts of compressed air to displace remaining alcohol from under microchips and connectors. Allow the board to air-dry completely.
- 13
Reassemble and Test Device
5 minPlace the dried motherboard back into the frame, reconnect all ribbon cables, replace the midframe and screws, reinsert the battery, and power on.
After your Samsung Galaxy S3 water damage repair
Power the Galaxy S3 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 S3 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 S3 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
