Published 29 April 2025. Updated 26 October 2026.
Case study summary
- Device: Samsung Galaxy S20
- Problem: Dropped in the ocean (salt water damage) and would not turn on
- Complication: Two prior repair attempts before the device reached our lab
- Recovery approach: Logic board inspection followed by a logic board chip transplant
- Outcome: All data recovered
Galaxy S20 salt water case study shows what mobile phone data recovery can involve when a Samsung Galaxy S20 is damaged by ocean salt water and will not power on. The client first visited a phone repair shop and then another data recovery company, but neither could help. After examining the logic board, we found extensive salt water damage plus signs of previous repair attempts.
Galaxy S20 salt water case study: what salt water damage can do
Salt water can cause corrosion and conductive residue across components and connectors, which can prevent a phone from powering on and can complicate component-level work after earlier attempts. For a general explanation of corrosion on metals and electronics, see Corrosion.
What we found during assessment
- Salt water damage on the logic board: Extensive damage consistent with ocean exposure.
- Previous repair attempts: Prior work made the job more complex and reduced the margin for error.
The recovery process
Based on the condition of the board, we decided a logic board chip transplant had the best chance of success for this job. The process shown in the video was:
- Logic board inspection: Examine the board to locate the fault and assess damage.
- Chip identification: Identify the chips that contain the essential data.
- Chip transplant: Move the required chips to a replacement board using precision microsoldering techniques.
- Test for data access: Power and test the repaired assembly so the data can be accessed and extracted.
Result
After the chip transplant, the phone powered on and we recovered all the data. This Galaxy S20 salt water case study is a good example of why chip-level methods are sometimes required when a device will not turn on after salt water exposure.
Why People Choose Payam Data Recovery
When an Android phone 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.
- 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. You pay only if we recover your data, and 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).
Frequently asked questions
Can you recover data from a Galaxy S20 that will not turn on after salt water damage?
Often, yes. If standard repair has failed and the phone will not power on, chip-level methods such as a logic board chip transplant can sometimes restore access long enough to recover the data.
Do previous repair attempts reduce the chance of success?
They can. In this case, we saw damage from salt water as well as evidence of previous attempts, which can make diagnosis and microsoldering work more complex.
What does a logic board chip transplant mean?
It means transferring the required data-related chips from the damaged board to a working board so the phone can start and the data can be accessed for extraction.
Where can I bring in or send my phone?
We are based in Australia with labs in Sydney CBD, Rhodes NSW, Melbourne CBD, and Brisbane CBD, plus secure drop-off offices in Adelaide CBD and Perth CBD. International customers are welcome, and we regularly help clients in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
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.
Get a free quote
Get a free quote today, or if you are ready to get started, submit a job now.
Read more about our Mobile Phone Data Recovery Service
Email: help@payam.com.au
Phone: 1300 444 800
International customers are always welcome. The easiest way to reach us from overseas is by email at help@payam.com.au, which works in every time zone.
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