Phone · Samsung · Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or iOpener
- Suction handle
- Plastic opening picks
- Precision Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic spudger
- ESD-safe tweezers
- Soft-bristle ESD brush
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Microfiber cloth
- Lint-free swabs
- Replacement back cover adhesive
Safety
- Disconnect battery power immediately to reduce short-circuit and fire risks.
- Perform liquid damage cleaning with isopropyl alcohol in a well-ventilated area away from open flames.
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to avoid electrostatic discharge damage to sensitive components.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Turn Off the Device
1 minPower down the phone immediately to prevent short-circuiting electrical components. Do not plug the device into a charger under any circumstances.
- 2
Remove the SIM Card Tray
1 minInsert a SIM eject tool into the hole on the left side of the phone. Push firmly to pop out the SIM tray, then remove it.
- 3
Heat the Rear Glass Cover
3 minApply a heat gun or hot pad around the perimeter of the outer rear glass cover for 2 minutes to soften the adhesive.
- 4
Slice the Rear Cover Adhesive
5 minAttach a suction cup near the edge and insert a plastic opening pick under the glass. Carefully slide the pick around the edges to sever the adhesive.
- 5
Lift the Rear Cover
2 minGently tilt up the rear glass panel and lift it away from the frame once all perimeter adhesive is cut.
- 6
Unscrew the Upper Midframe
4 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the 10 screws securing the upper motherboard shield and wireless charging pad.
- 7
Disconnect the Wireless Charging Antenna
2 minUse a plastic spudger to gently pry the wireless charging coil press connector off the motherboard.
- 8
Remove the Upper Midframe Cover
2 minLift the plastic midframe shield and attached wireless charging coil straight out of the phone chassis.
- 9
Disconnect Both Battery Cables
2 minUse a spudger to disconnect the dual battery press connectors from the main board to completely cut power.
- 10
Disconnect Interconnect Cables
4 minPry up the remaining display, sub-board, and sensor ribbon cables connected to the main motherboard.
- 11
Remove the Main Motherboard
3 minRemove the retaining screw holding the main motherboard, then carefully lift the board out of the housing using tweezers.
- 12
Clean Motherboard Corrosion
10 minSubmerge the motherboard in 99% isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub affected areas using a soft ESD brush.
- 13
Clean Housing and Sub-board
8 minInspect the inner chassis and lower sub-board for liquid. Wipe away moisture and corrosion using alcohol-soaked lint-free swabs.
- 14
Dry Components Thoroughly
15 minAllow the motherboard and disassembled components to air dry completely for at least 2 hours before reassembly.
After your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G water damage repair
Power the Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G 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 Z Fold 3 5G job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Prefer a professional repair?
Book Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G water damage repair at LML Repair in Seattle — same-day options available.
