Water-Damaged Phone repair/data recovery of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Excessive heat can cause permanent damage to the display and internal battery.

• Apply heat to the right edge of the back cover for two minutes using an iOpener or an alternative heating method (hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate).
• Be cautious not to overheat the phone; monitor its temperature closely.

Note the adhesive pattern — it's strongest at the bottom right and top left corners.

• Observe that the back cover is secured with adhesive along the frame's perimeter.

Apply a suction handle to the back cover near the right edge.

• Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a gap between the cover and frame.
• If needed, apply more heat as per the iOpener instructions to soften adhesive.

Avoid overheating — follow the iOpener instructions carefully.

Move the picking tool back and forth along the right edge to break the adhesive seal.

• Insert the tool near the bottom right corner, leaving it in place to maintain separation.

Apply heat to the back cover's bottom edge for 2 minutes using a iOpener.

Careful when handling the glass near corners — risk of cracking.

• Insert a second opening pick at the bottom right corner.
• Angle it upward to match the curved edge and rotate around the corner slowly.

• Insert the opening pick at the bottom left corner and gently pry up the device.
• Leave the pick in place to maintain separation and prevent re-adhesion.

Apply a iOpener to the left edge of the back cover and heat it for 2 minutes.

Careful not to crack the glass when working on corners.

• Insert a third opening pick at the bottom left corner.
• Angle it upward, matching the curved edge.
• Rotate it around the bottom left corner.

Insert the opening pick no more than 5mm into the device.

• Slide the opening pick along the left edge until you reach the power button.
• Leave the pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Apply heat from an iOpener to the top edge of the back cover for 2 minutes.

Careful not to crack the glass at the top right corner.

• Insert an opening pick into the gap at the top right edge.
• Angle the pick upward, matching the curved shape of the edge.
• Rotate the pick around the top right corner while maintaining control.

• Position the pick at the top left corner and gently slide it to separate the adhesive.
• Limit pick insertion depth to 4 mm to avoid damaging cameras or sensors.
• Leaving the pick in place will prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a pick into the top left edge, angled upwards to match the curve.

• Limit insertion depth to 4 mm to avoid camera damage.
• Rotate the pick around the top left corner for proper alignment.

Insert the pick down from the top camera and slide it towards the bottom camera, separating the adhesive without reaching the power button.

Do not insert more than 4mm to avoid damaging the cameras.

Grab and remove the back cover.

Be cautious of stuck parts.

• If the cover remains attached, use an opening pick to slide around the perimeter until it separates completely.

Power on and test your phone's functions before reassembly.

Ensure your phone is fully powered down before proceeding.

Remove any remaining adhesive chunks with tweezers or fingers. Apply heat if needed for separation.

• If using custom-cut adhesives, refer to the dedicated guide.
• If using double-sided tape, follow the provided instructions.

Careful alignment is crucial to avoid damaging press connectors.

• Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the NFC antenna press connector from the motherboard.
• Repeat for the wireless charging coil press connector.

When re-attaching, align carefully and press down on one side until it clicks into place; repeat on the other side. Avoid pressing in the middle to prevent pin bending and permanent damage.

Separate the wireless charging coil from the battery by gently sliding a plastic spudger along the right edge.

• Insert the spudger between the wireless charging coil and the battery, starting at the right edge.
• Slide the spudger along this edge to break the adhesive's hold.

Insert a pick into the gap between the wireless charging coil and the frame at the top.

• Push the pick towards the right edge of the phone to break apart any remaining adhesive.

Remove the NFC antenna and charging coil using a Phillips screwdriver.

• Identify the five 3.5 mm-long screws holding it in place.
• Turn the screws counterclockwise to loosen them, then remove completely.

Remove the loudspeaker's six 3.5 mm screws using a Phillips screwdriver.

Insert the pointed end of your spudger between the upper right corner of the loudspeaker and the frame.

• Pry up to unclip the loudspeaker from the frame, being careful not to touch the battery.
• Use protrusions in the frame for leverage to avoid damaging any components.

During reassembly, press around the perimeter of the loudspeaker to clip it securely to the frame.

• Remove the NFC module, wireless charging coil, and loudspeaker from the frame.

Remove the battery press connector using a spudger.

• Pry up the connector with gentle pressure.
• Gently pull the connector away from the board.

Use a spudger to carefully pry up and release the secondary interconnect cable press connector from the motherboard.

• Repeat this process for the primary interconnect cable.

• Disconnect the secondary interconnect cable by prying its press connector off the charging board with a spudger.
• Repeat this process for the primary interconnect cable.

Remove the interconnect cables from the frame.

Remove the charging board screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

• The screws are located near the charging board and have a length of 3.5 mm.

Insert plastic spudger under top right of charging board.

• Pry charging board up from recess until you can grab it with your fingers.
• Pull charging board toward top of device to remove it from recess.

During reassembly, ensure the USB-C port is aligned before pushing charging board into recess at a downward angle.

Use the point of the spudger to pry up and release the earpiece speaker press connector.

Remove the motherboard cover with a Phillips screwdriver.

• There are five screws — each is 3.5 mm long.
• Use the Phillips head to drive them out.

Insert spudger between bottom right corner of motherboard cover and frame.

• Pry up on motherboard cover to unclip from frame.
• Remove motherboard cover.

Press down firmly during reassembly to secure clips.

Use the spudger to carefully pry up the front-facing camera press connector, disconnecting it from the board.

Use your spudger to carefully lift the fingerprint reader press connector from its socket.

Use the tip of a plastic spudger to gently pry up the screen press connector from the motherboard.

Insert the point of your spudger into the display cutout near the bottom of the phone.

• Pry up on the screen press connector.
• The connector should now be disconnected.

Remove the screen cable from its retaining clip on the frame.

Use the pointed end of your spudger to carefully pry up and release the right 5G mmWave antenna press connector.

Insert the spudger tip under the stylus press connector.

• Pry upwards with gentle force until disconnected.

Insert the tip of the spudger into the left 5G mmWave antenna press connector.

• Gently pry upwards to release the connector.

Remove the motherboard mounting screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

Insert a spudger between the top left of the motherboard and the frame.

• Pry the motherboard up until you can grasp it with your fingers.
• Remove the motherboard from the frame, taking care not to snag any loose cables.

During reassembly, keep loose cables above the motherboard when reinstalling it.

Apply heat to the top of the screen with an iOpener for 2 minutes.

• Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but avoid overheating and potential damage to the display.

Be cautious not to overheat the phone as the display is prone to heat damage.

Adhesive is strong; work slowly and apply more heat if necessary.

• Use a flat spudger end to pry the front-facing camera from its recess.
• If stuck, use the SIM card eject tool to scrape away epoxy surrounding the camera.

Remove the black adhesive liner from the front-facing camera recess.

• Peel and remove the foam liner from the new frame.

This liner is not required for the repair.

Apply new adhesives to the frame and camera.

• Remove large clear liners from the sheet and apply adhesives to the sides of the camera recess.
• Place the main adhesive in the center of the recess, with the pull tab facing down.

Clean any adhesive residue from the front-facing camera module.

Remove all blue adhesive liners from the camera and frame.

• Insert the front-facing camera into its recess in the .
• Apply pressure to secure the camera.

Remove the two screws using a Phillips driver.

• The screws are located near the left 5G mmWave antenna.
• They are approximately 2.4 mm long.

Grab the left 5G mmWave antenna connector and gently lift it upwards to release the bracket from the frame.

• Hold the connector firmly in place with one hand.
• Lift up on the connector to separate the bracket from the frame.
• Once separated, carefully pull the antenna out of its mounting point.

Replace the bracket with a new one before reinstalling the lower 5G mmWave antenna.

• Remove the old antenna and connector from their bracket.
• Remove the L-shaped adhesive liner from the new bracket.
• Place the antenna in the bracket's recess, with the connector fed underneath the longer screw mount.
• Remove the thin adhesive liner on the outside of the new bracket before installing it into the frame.

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the frame and the right 5G mmWave antenna connector.

• Pry up with the spudger to separate the adhesive.

Remove the right 5G mmWave antenna from its mount in the frame.

Replace the upper 5G mmWave antenna's adhesive before reinstallation.

• Use replacement adhesive, or reuse old one, or custom-cut adhesive if not available.

Remove existing adhesive from the antenna using blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to avoid damaging the part.

• Remove clear liner from new adhesive.
• Apply new adhesive to bottom of antenna with round end facing connector side.

Remove green liner from adhesive before reinstalling the antenna in the frame.

Inspect the replacement battery assembly against the removed component.

• Transfer any remaining components if necessary.
• Remove any adhesive backings from the new part.

Device had severe corrosion throughout, including white and blue oxidation, and rust on most metal parts.

• Initial disassembly revealed extensive damage, but device functioned initially after backing up data.
• No photos were taken of internal components at this stage due to low expectations of recovery.

Never use rubbing alcohol with oils and fragrance for cleaning electronics — it may damage components.

• Use contact cleaner spray to clean corrosion on metal parts, connectors, and plugs.
• Apply outdoors with a fan blowing, then gently brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Sweep for debris and lightly "buff" all surfaces using a softer brush.

Use high-concentration alcohol (90%+ ETOH or Isopropyl) if available to minimize risks.

Assume a dead device before attempting repairs.

• Allow 8 hours for drying after cleaning.
• Reassemble the device and apply power using a fast-charge cable.

Verify charging by monitoring the connected device (e.g. phone).

Initial tests may indicate partial functionality, but do not rely on this; further troubleshooting is necessary.

Post-resuscitation, the phone retained charge for over 48 hours.

• Transfer files using FTP server via side-loading instead of USB3.2 ports for faster results.

The device functions as follows:

• Front Camera: functional
• Rear Camera: functional
• Wi-Fi: working
• Bluetooth: operational
• Screen: non-touch sensitive (stylus works)
• Language: German; language change required for navigation.

Note: Loudspeaker and microphone functionality have not been tested.

After backing up data, disassemble the device to clean connectors.

• Initial cleaning did not resolve issues with the digitizer.
• Repeat cleaning process without success.

Soak the screws in vinegar for a few minutes.

• Mix 1-2 ounces of vinegar with boiling water in a microwave-safe container.
• Add the screws to the solution, and let them soak until bubbling subsides.
• Rinse the screws in plain water, then again with a mixture of sodium bicarbonate (1/2 tsp) stirred into plain water.
• Finally, rinse and dry the screws thoroughly.

Results of this repair may not be entirely due to human effort.

• A soft-bristle brush was cleaned during the process.
• Assistance from feline saliva and pheromones is neither confirmed nor denied.

Disassemble the device a fourth time and inspect each microphone for internal obstructions.

• Contact cleaner may be used to gently clean out any potential blockages within the microphones.
• Check for free passage of the cleaning spray through each tube, ensuring it is not obstructed.

If replacement parts are not available, consider replacing the entire charging board or seeking assistance from someone with better equipment and expertise.

• Have the owner's shop in Germany inspect and repair the device according to their estimate.

Before proceeding, try:

• Updating the OS
• Rerunning microphone diagnostics
• Resetting the digitizer
• Adjusting touch sensitivity
• Wiping the cache

As a last resort, perform a hard reset, but it's unlikely to resolve the issue since no software changes have been made.

Recovery results may vary.

• The repaired device is now functional with added accessories (bluetooth headset, USB mic, stylus, and mouse/keyboard).
• PPC users who relied on a stylus for navigation will find it easy to adapt, provided they resist the urge to use their fingers.

A hard reset was not attempted due to the device being slated for replacement.