Published 27 August 2025. Updated 17 October 2026.
iPhone 14 Plus water damage case study explains a liquid-damaged iPhone 14 Plus that had already been to two repair shops without success. Even after an initial short circuit was fixed, the phone still would not boot until a hidden fault under the NAND storage chip was identified and repaired.
Case Study Summary
- Device: iPhone 14 Plus
- Problem: Liquid damage, phone would not turn on
- Complication: Two previous repair shops could not recover the data
- Fault found: One critical data line dead, corrosion under the NAND chip solder balls
- Outcome: Over 12,000 photos and 700 videos recovered, plus a full iTunes backup
Why water resistant phones can still suffer liquid damage
The video explains a common issue: water resistant phones can still be damaged by liquid, especially after prior repairs such as screen or charging port replacement. If the device is not properly resealed, moisture can enter and cause corrosion on the logic board.
Apple provides guidance on splash, water, and dust resistance and what to do if an iPhone is exposed to liquid: About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone.
iPhone 14 Plus water damage case study diagnosis
In this iPhone 14 Plus water damage case study, the specialist connected the phone to a DC power supply to measure current draw and confirm whether the phone was attempting to start. The readings suggested the storage subsystem was not behaving normally, either due to a power issue to the NAND storage chip or compromised data connections.
The data recovery engineer traced every power line to the NAND storage chip and confirmed they were all within expected values. That ruled out a simple missing power rail to the NAND area.
Finding the hidden fault under the NAND chip
The next step was testing the data lines between the storage and the processor. One critical data line was completely dead. With liquid damage involved, the specialist suspected corrosion underneath the NAND chip.
After carefully removing the NAND chip, oxidation and corrosion were found on the microscopic solder balls underneath. These faults can be easy to miss without deep board-level testing because the issue may be hidden under the chip rather than visible around it.
Recovery outcome
After addressing the corrosion and restoring proper connections, the phone booted successfully and the data was recovered. The video states the results included over 12,000 photos and 700 videos, and a full iTunes backup delivered on a USB drive.
- Over 12,000 photos recovered
- Over 700 videos recovered
- Full iTunes backup provided on a USB drive
Why People Choose Payam Data Recovery
When an iPhone will not start, its data is locked to its own chips, so those chips have to be working again before anything can be copied. That is the work we do every day.
- We are a specialist data recovery lab, not a phone repair shop. We have been recovering data since 1998, from over 300,000 devices.
- We are listed on Apple’s data recovery provider page, one of three recommended data recovery providers.
- 500 mobile phone repair shops and over 2,000 IT companies and computer shops across Australia send us their customers’ complex cases every year.
- Board level repair under the microscope by our own data recovery engineers, here in Australia and never outsourced overseas.
- Your data stays private. Our data recovery engineers open only a few random, non-sensitive files to check the recovery worked, and we can sign an NDA on request.
- Rated 4.9 from over 2,400 Google reviews.
We are not the cheapest. We are the best in Australia at this work. We know what to do, how to do it, and we will do our very best for you. Your best chance of getting your data back is with us.
Mobile phone and tablet data recovery service
Mobile phones and tablets, including iPhone and iPad, are a fixed price service. Phones and tablets are a fixed price. Most recoveries are no fix, no fee. Some complex cases have an attempt fee, then a completion fee only if the recovery is successful. You see your files before you pay. We are successful in 99 percent of cases. Contact us for a free quote and we will confirm the price, the turnaround options and the next step. You will need to know the passcode. Pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Link or PayPal, split the cost with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4, or pay by bank deposit (EFT).
Payam Data Recovery has laboratories in Sydney CBD, Rhodes NSW, Melbourne CBD, and Brisbane CBD. Secure drop-off offices are available in Adelaide CBD and Perth CBD. International customers are welcome and we have regular clients in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The easiest way for an international customer to reach us is by email at help@payam.com.au, which works in every time zone.
Frequently asked questions
My iPhone is water resistant. How did liquid get in?
Water resistance depends on the seals, and those are disturbed by earlier repairs. If a screen or charging port has been replaced and the phone was not properly resealed, moisture can get in and corrode the logic board.
Two repair shops have already failed. Is it worth a third attempt?
It can be. This phone had been to two shops without success, and over 12,000 photos and 700 videos were recovered along with a full iTunes backup.
The short was fixed but the phone still would not start. Why?
Because there was a second fault underneath. Fixing the initial short was not enough: one critical data line was dead, and the cause was corrosion under the solder balls beneath the NAND storage chip, where nothing is visible without removing the chip.
Why is corrosion under a chip so hard to find?
It is hidden by the chip itself. The board can look clean and test almost normally while a single connection underneath is broken, and that one line is enough to stop the phone booting.
What should I do straight after a phone gets wet?
Stop using it and do not charge it. Corrosion keeps spreading after the phone appears dry, and each power on gives it another chance to do damage.
What does iPhone data recovery cost, and when do I pay?
Phones and tablets are a fixed price. Most recoveries are no fix, no fee. Some complex cases have an attempt fee, then a completion fee only if the recovery is successful. You see your files before you pay. The service is a fixed price. Contact us for a free quote and we will confirm the price and the turnaround options.
Related iPhone data recovery case studies
- iPhone 17 Pro water damage data recovery case study
- iPhone data recovery case study after salt water exposure
- Liquid damaged iPhone data recovery case study
- iPhone 11 logic board repair data recovery case study
Payam Data Recovery works with individuals, students, families, small and medium businesses, IT companies, and organisations that need their data recovered safely and professionally. Some customers come to us with a single damaged device containing personal memories, while others rely on us for complex technical recoveries that require specialist tools and experience.
We are based in Australia and have been recovering data since 1998. Our clients also include governments, law enforcement agencies, corporations, and public figures. Every job is handled with 100 percent confidentiality and privacy.
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Read more about our iPhone Data Recovery Service
Email: help@payam.com.au
Phone: 1300 444 800
