Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy S5 Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Samsung Galaxy S5
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic opening tools
- Plastic opening picks
- Spudger
- Heat gun or iOpener
- Tweezers
- Anti-static wrist strap
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Soft-bristled brush
- Pre-cut display adhesive strips
- Microfiber cloth
Safety
- Do not connect a charger or attempt to turn on a water-damaged battery to avoid fire hazard.
- Wear eye protection when heating glass panels and using liquid chemicals like alcohol.
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge while handling board components.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power off the device
1 minEnsure the phone is powered down immediately to reduce the risk of electrical short circuits. Never attempt to charge a wet device.
- 2
Remove the rear cover
1 minInsert your fingernail or plastic opening tool into the notch at the top left edge of the back panel and pry it off.
- 3
Extract the battery
1 minUse the finger recess at the bottom of the battery compartment to lift out the battery and cut power to the system.
- 4
Remove SIM and microSD cards
1 minPush and slide out the SIM card and microSD card from their shared metal slot frame.
- 5
Pry off the lower cable door
2 minUse a plastic opening tool to pop off the small plastic door located in the battery cavity near the bottom.
- 6
Disconnect the home button flex cable
2 minInsert a spudger into the exposed opening and gently lift the home button connector straight up from its socket.
- 7
Heat the display perimeter
5 minApply heat to the edges of the front glass with a heat gun or iOpener to soften the strong perimeter adhesive.
- 8
Slice display adhesive
8 minInsert plastic opening picks under the glass and slowly slide along all four edges to cut through the adhesive layer.
- 9
Disconnect the display connector
3 minGently lift the screen from the bottom edge, locate the display cable at the top right, and unclip it with a spudger.
- 10
Unscrew the midframe
4 minRemove all ten Phillips #00 screws securing the plastic midframe panel to the chassis.
- 11
Separate inner frame from housing
4 minUse a plastic opening tool to release the perimeter clips and push the inner frame out from the rear housing.
- 12
Lift out the motherboard
3 minDisconnect any remaining ribbon connectors attached to the board and carefully lift the main logic board clear of the frame.
- 13
Soak motherboard in isopropyl alcohol
10 minSubmerge the motherboard in a dish of 99% isopropyl alcohol for 5 to 10 minutes to displace residual water.
- 14
Scrub corroded components
7 minDip a soft-bristled brush in alcohol and gently scrub away green or white oxidation around components and connectors.
- 15
Dry the motherboard completely
15 minWipe down the board with a microfiber cloth and let it air dry in a well-ventilated area for at least 30 minutes.
- 16
Reassemble and seal phone
10 minReinstall the motherboard and midframe into the housing, apply fresh pre-cut adhesive, and reattach the display assembly.
After your Samsung Galaxy S5 water damage repair
Power the Galaxy S5 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 S5 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 S5 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
