Case Study Summary
- Device: iPhone 15 Pro
- Failure type: Salt water submersion for 48 hours
- Condition on arrival: Not powering on
- Recovery method: Logic board transplant using the original CPU, NAND, and security chip on a donor board
- Result: Photos and videos recovered
- Service: iPhone data recovery service
This iPhone 15 Pro salt water case study documents how Payam Data Recovery recovered photos and videos from an iPhone 15 Pro that slipped into the ocean during a boat trip and remained underwater for 48 hours. When it was retrieved, the phone was lifeless, but it still contained irreplaceable memories from a Europe trip.
iPhone 15 Pro salt water case study overview
Salt water can accelerate corrosion and contribute to electrical failure in electronic devices. In this case, the iPhone would not power on after prolonged exposure, so standard repair methods were not suitable for data access.
Technical recovery process
As described in the video, the recovery approach was a logic board transplant. This involved moving the original encrypted components to a compatible donor board.
- Component transfer: The CPU, NAND storage, and security chip were moved from the damaged board to a donor board.
- Donor board preparation: A compatible donor logic board was used to accept the original components.
- Reassembly: The device was reassembled so the phone could power on and present the normal passcode prompt.
Recovery outcome
After the transplant, the iPhone powered on successfully and accepted the customer’s passcode. The photos and videos from the Europe trip were recovered. This iPhone 15 Pro salt water case study shows that severe water exposure does not always mean the data is permanently lost.
For background information on why corrosion affects electronics, see
this corrosion overview.
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 more than 2,300 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 always no fix, no fee. There is no attempt fee, 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. There is no card surcharge. Pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Afterpay, Zip or bank deposit (EFT).
Frequently asked questions
Can data be recovered from an iPhone dropped in the ocean?
In some cases, yes. This iPhone 15 Pro salt water case study shows a logic board transplant approach that enabled access to the data after the phone powered on and accepted the passcode.
Is my iPhone passcode required?
Yes. iPhone data is encrypted. The correct passcode is required to access data after the hardware is restored.
Related iPhone data recovery case studies
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- Smashed and bent iPhone data recovery solutions
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra chip transplant case study
- iPhone 13 Pro boot loop data recovery case study
About Payam Data Recovery
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.
We have labs in Sydney CBD, Rhodes NSW, Melbourne CBD, and Brisbane CBD, with secure drop-off offices in Adelaide CBD and Perth CBD. International customers are welcome, including 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.
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Read more about our iPhone Data Recovery Service
Email: help@payam.com.au
Phone: 1300 444 800