Data Recovery After Liquid and Water Damage on MacBook Pro| PcMacgicians London
It is a well-known fact that spills are inevitable. Water bottles, coffee cups, and glasses of milk can lead to disastrous consequences for your laptop in just a moment. When that laptop is a MacBook Pro, the impact can be both financially and emotionally distressing.
This was the situation faced by one of our recent clients at PcMacgicians. They approached us in a state of panic and anxiety after their cherished MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020 Model A2338) suffered a direct spill. The device would not power on, and, even more concerning, they had no backup of their crucial files.
Let us examine what transpired, how we addressed the issue, and what steps you can take if you find yourself in a similar predicament.
The Problem: MacBook Pro Dead After Liquid Spill
Our customer walked into our London shop with one major concern:
“My laptop’s not turning on—and everything I need is on there.”
The MacBook Pro A2338 EMC 3578 housed a variety of essential items, ranging from work documents and personal photographs to critical credentials and notes. The absence of a backup system transformed this situation from a mere technical issue into a crucial data preservation challenge.
The Diagnosis: Liquid + Logic Board = Trouble
We immediately began our MacBook Pro data recovery protocol. The 2020 MacBook Pro (M1/M2 chip) is a compact, tightly packed machine—liquid damage can sneak into the logic board, short circuits can form, and corrosion sets in fast.
Key Findings:
Logic board had visible liquid damage
MacBook wouldn’t power on even with direct charging attempts
Internal components like SSD storage were integrated (no easy plug-and-play)
At this point, we gave the customer two options:
1. Logic board refurbishment for data recovery
2. Logic board replacement for restoring functionality
Their top priority? The data. So we focused on getting that back first.
Step-by-Step Process of Recovering Customer’s Data
Recovering data from a water-damaged MacBook isn’t as simple as plugging in a cable. Here’s how we did it:
Step 1: Deep Clean and Corrosion Removal
We opened the MacBook and used ultrasonic cleaning tools to remove corrosion from the logic board.
Dried it completely and tested voltage across power rails.
Step 2: Logic Board Refurbishment
Repaired shorted circuits and replaced several damaged capacitors and resistors.
Cleaned and reflowed the critical chips including those controlling SSD access.
Step 3: Power-On Test for Data Access
Connected to a bench power supply and verified current draw to confirm partial logic board functionality.
Successfully booted into recovery mode—data was still there!
Step 4: Full Data Extraction
Cloned the internal SSD using special M1/M2 chip-compatible tools.
Transferred data to a secure external SSD for temporary backup.
Step 5: Logic Board Replacement
Installed a new Apple OEM logic board (fully tested and verified).
Transferred recovered data to the new board’s internal storage.
Step 6: System Cleanup + OS Upgrade
Upgraded macOS to the latest version for security and compatibility.
Cleaned and resealed the MacBook with new thermal paste and anti-static seals.
The Result: One Happy MacBook. One Relieved Customer.
When we powered up the newly rebuilt MacBook and restored the user profile with all of the customer’s files, photos, and settings—let’s just say emotions were high.
The client was thrilled. Not only did they get their data back, but their MacBook was now fully functional and up to date.
Key Takeaways: What You Can Learn From This
Don’t Panic, But Don’t Delay
If you spill liquid on your MacBook:
Turn it off immediately
Don’t try to charge it
Bring it to professionals (like us) ASAP
Always Back Up Your Data
This story had a happy ending—but not all do. Use Time Machine, iCloud, or an external SSD to create automatic backups.
Liquid Damage Doesn’t Always Mean “Game Over”
With the right tools and experience, liquid damage repair is very possible—especially if data recovery is the goal.
Still Looking for Help? PcMacgicians Have Your Back!
Send a message right now to one of our tech experts!
What We Offer: Liquid Damage & Apple Laptop Repair in London
At PcMacgicians, we’re experts in:
~ MacBook Pro liquid damage repair
~ Logic board refurbishment and replacement
~ Data recovery from dead or damaged Apple laptops
~ macOS upgrades and software repairs
And yes—we serve all across London, including Clapham, Roehampton, Wimbledon, and surrounding boroughs.
The Repair Snapshot
Laptop Model: MacBook Pro 13-inch, M1, 2020 Model A2338, EMC 3578
Problem: Water spill caused logic board failure and power loss
Solution: Logic board refurbishment for data access + full replacement
Outcome: Data recovered, laptop repaired, customer happy
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Tech
This job was a reminder that life happens, but so do repairs.
If your MacBook Pro won’t turn on after liquid damage, don’t assume it’s all gone. We’ve rescued data from machines worse off than this one—and brought them back to life.
- Call us or book an appointment online.
- Bring your device into our shop.
- We’ll handle the rest.