Even with some water resistance, water or other liquids can cause circuit shorts, corrosion, damage to the BIOS chip, and even total device failure. Liquid damage is a common and difficult iPhone problem, especially for the newest models like the iPhone 16 Pro. In this post, Phonefix will walk you through the steps to fix a liquid-damaged iPhone 16 Pro so you can fix it.
I. Critical Steps in the Golden 30 Minutes for Emergency Treatment
The first rule is to power cycle your iPhone 16 Pro right away if it's submerged in liquid. Never try to charge it, turn it on, or click any buttons. Because liquids are conductive, they can short circuit the logic board, and the quick current could harm vital parts like the iPhone power chip. Physical isolation is where the right strategy begins:
Step 1: The instrument must be promptly taken out of the watery environment. Immediately remove the iPhone 16 Pro from the liquid. To stop any remaining liquid from leaking in, take it out of the iPhone protective case as soon as possible. Seawater and sugary drinks are examples of corrosive liquids that need more immediate treatment since they provide significantly higher dangers than pure water.
Step 2: Force shut down the device. Press and hold the power and volume buttons until the power off slider appears. If the iPhone screen is unresponsive, keep the device still to avoid shaking it, which could spread liquid inside.
Step 3: Dry the exterior of the device. Gently wipe the exterior with a lint-free cloth (such as a lens cloth), focusing on areas around the charging port, speaker grille, and SIM card slot. Be careful not to use paper towels, as their fibers may remain and clog the ports.
Step 4: Use a scientific desiccant method. Place the device in a sealed container and add 20g of silica gel desiccant per 100ml of space. Seal the container and let it sit for 24-48 hours. While the traditional rice desiccant method is effective, it can cause secondary contamination due to residual starch and is not recommended. For severe water ingress, place a humidity indicator card in the container and wait until the reading drops below 30% before proceeding.
Note: Do not use a hair dryer to heat the device. Low-temperature hot air can accelerate moisture diffusion and damage the iPhone screen backlight, and high temperatures can accelerate iPhone battery adhesive degradation, making disassembly more difficult. If the screen flickers or makes unusual noises, this indicates an internal short circuit. Stop immediately and prepare for professional disassembly.
II. Preparation for Professional Disassembly
The safety and success rate of the repair process are directly affected by the highly technical nature of do-it-yourself iPhone 16 Pro repairs, which necessitate strict tool preparation and environmental control. A variety of specialized tools and equipment are needed prior to any repair, as per Apple's official safety standards.
Basic tools include a 0.8mm Pentalobe screwdriver, a nylon spudger, a suction cup with a minimum suction force of 8N, and anti-static tweezers. Never use metal prying tools to avoid scratching the logic board solder joints. Auxiliary equipment includes an adjustable temperature hot air gun (60–80°C), an ESD wrist strap with a ground resistance between 1–10Ω, a magnifying glass (magnification ≥10x), and a dust-free workbench equipped with an anti dust workbench.
Supplies required include 99% electronic-grade isopropyl alcohol, disposable dust-free cloths, waterproof adhesive strips compatible with the iPhone 16 Pro, and 0.15mm thick battery adhesive. To mitigate the risk of battery fires, heat-resistant gloves and a fire blanket should be used. Ensure the repair area is away from flammable materials and maintain a minimum of 2 feet of flammable-free space.
Before beginning disassembly, confirm that the battery charge is below 20% to significantly reduce the risk of thermal runaway. If the charge level cannot be confirmed, it is recommended to let the device rest for at least 24 hours before proceeding. Furthermore, all tools must be treated with anti-static agents beforehand. An ion blower can be used to neutralize surface charge to prevent static damage to sensitive components on the iPhone logic board, such as MOSFETs.
III. Step-by-Step Disassembly Process
Step 1: Disassemble the iPhone 16 Pro. After completely shutting down the iPhone, use a P2 Pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two screws at the charging port. If there are cracks on the screen or back panel, apply tape to protect them to facilitate suction cup attachment and stability during disassembly. Then, use the suction cup to gently lift the screen and use a plastic opening tool to separate the screen from the body, avoiding damage to internal cables or edges.
Step 2: After disassembling the phone, remove the iPhone screen, iPhone camera parts, iPhone front-facing sensor, iPhone battery, and iPhone logic board cover in order. When removing the logic board screws and metal shield, use a plastic opening tool carefully to avoid damaging surface mount components. Inspect the cable connectors, camera port, battery contacts, and power cable for corrosion, oxidation, or green spots. If severe corrosion or damage is found, note the faulty component and determine if it needs replacement. Phonefix recommends cleaning the logic board before evaluating component replacement needs.
Step 3: Cleaning and removing corrosion from the logic board is a critical step in this repair and determines whether the device can restart properly. First, carefully remove the motherboard's metal shield and soak the motherboard in ≥90% isopropyl alcohol for several minutes to dissolve any moisture and deposits. Then, use an anti-static soft brush to carefully clean the cable connectors, battery contacts, and chip pins. Finally, ensure the motherboard is completely dry. Use a hair dryer on the cool setting or a low-temperature lamp to dry it to prevent residual isopropyl alcohol or moisture from causing short circuits.
Note: If corrosion is severe, repeated soaking and scrubbing may be necessary. For difficult-to-clean areas, it is recommended that a professional use an ultrasonic cleaning machine; non-professionals should avoid this.
Step 4: After cleaning the motherboard, inspect the remaining removed components to ensure proper function. Gently wipe the LCD and touchscreen components with a dust-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol, avoiding any liquid contact to prevent screen damage. Modules such as the front camera and sensors should be inspected for rust or poor contact. Minor corrosion can be cleaned with a soft brush and isopropyl alcohol. Severe corrosion is recommended, but replacement or micro-soldering is recommended. Battery inspection is particularly important. If bulging, liquid ingress, corrosion, deformation, or discoloration are observed, replace the original iPhone battery immediately.
Note: The iPhone 16 series battery uses a new release adhesive structure. Disassembly must be performed according to specifications to ensure safety.
Step 5: Before reassembly, thoroughly inspect all key components to ensure normal device functionality. Use a magnifying glass or QIANLI Gorilla trinocular microscope to inspect the logic board connectors and cable connectors for corrosion or discoloration. If conductivity is insufficient, replace the corresponding cable or interface module. If the logic board chip is damaged or shorted, a professional technician should perform microsoldering to repair the capacitors, resistors, or chip pins. For the LCD or touchscreen, if dark spots, dead pixels, or color abnormalities persist, replace the entire display assembly. Troubleshooting and addressing each issue individually can significantly improve the stability and lifespan of the device after repair.
Step 6: After confirming that the iPhone logic board, iPhone screen, iPhone battery, iPhone camera and other iPhone components are intact, begin reassembly in the reverse order of disassembly. It is recommended to use a plastic spudger when connecting cables to avoid excessive force and damage. If replacing the battery, especially on the iPhone 16 series, follow the official release instructions. Use a 9V battery connector alligator clips to remove the old battery and install the new one. When reassembling the screen, if adhesive strips are already in place, align them accurately and gently press with a pressure plate or rubber band to ensure a seal. Then, apply the back cover adhesive strips and tighten the pentalobe screws. Finally, replace the SIM card tray and check for any missing screws or tools to ensure the device is secure and stable.
Step 7: After reassembly, power on the device to verify that it boots normally and accesses the home screen. Test key functions such as touch, Face ID, True Tone, camera, earpiece, and speaker. If you replace iPhone parts, Apple Repair Assistant may detect uncertified components, and some features will require re-pairing on iOS 18.1 and later. If you see a "Battery Health Unavailable" or "Replacement Part Not Verified" message, use the repair tool to reset the counter and restore system recognition. Finally, test the mobile data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and charging ports to ensure the device is stable and functioning properly.
IV. How to Prevent Liquid Damage to the iPhone 16 Pro
1. Avoid use in humid environments (such as the bathroom or by the pool).
2. Use a transparent waterproof bag.
3. Regularly check the aging of the waterproof adhesive (iPhone's water resistance may degrade over time).
4. If liquid does occur, immediately follow the instructions in this document to minimize the risk of damage.
If your iPhone 16 Pro is accidentally damaged by liquid and you encounter difficulties repairing it yourself, it is recommended that you take it to a professional repair facility as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Please stay tuned to China Phonefix, where we will provide you with professional iPhone repair tools and news on iPhone repairs. We hope this guide will provide you with practical assistance and help you successfully repair your device after liquid damage and restore normal use.
Warm Tip: Disassembly can be risky. Inexperienced users are advised to consult a professional. If your device is under warranty, please contact Apple Support first.
