What board-level repair means
Board-level repair is the work of diagnosing and repairing components directly on a device's logic board, motherboard, or PCB — instead of replacing the whole board or the whole device. It is sometimes called component-level repair, micro soldering repair, or PCB repair. It is the technique that sits behind almost every advanced repair we do.
Typical work involved
- IC replacement (power management, charging, audio, backlight, and other ICs)
- Chip replacement and BGA reballing under microscope
- Damaged connector replacement (charge port flex, board-to-board, display)
- Repairing shorts on power rails and clearing failed components
- Liquid damage cleanup and corrosion repair
- Trace repair and jumper wire repair across broken paths on the PCB
- NAND replacement and storage-related work on supported devices
Why this matters
A standard repair shop will usually swap a whole board or whole device when something on the circuit board fails. Microsoldering and board-level repair let us treat the board as a repairable assembly: identify the single failed part, replace or repair only that, and put the device back together. For most iPhone, iPad, and MacBook board faults, that is significantly less expensive than a full board swap — and it lets you keep the original board and the data on it.
Dedicated pages for every advanced board work service
Each service in this hub has its own page with full detail, common symptoms, process, and limitations.
iPhone & iPad Logic Board Repair
No-power, no-charge, boot loop, no-touch, no-backlight, audio IC, and Face ID-related faults on iPhone and iPad logic boards.
MacBook Logic Board Repair
Liquid damage, no-power, USB-C / Thunderbolt, charging circuit, and display-rail faults on Intel and Apple Silicon MacBooks.
iPhone & iPad NAND Storage Upgrades
Increase storage on supported iPhone and iPad models with a board-level NAND replacement and data programmed forward.
MacBook Storage Upgrades
Soldered SSD upgrades on supported MacBooks. Apple Silicon storage upgrades require advanced diagnostics — contact us to confirm support for your model.
Board-Level Data Recovery
Attempt to recover data from devices that no longer power on. Microsoldering and chip-level recovery on iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
Mail-In Microsoldering (Canada)
Ship your device to RevyTech from anywhere in Canada. Same microscope, same bench, same diagnostic process as walk-in jobs.
Signs your device may need board-level repair
If your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook is showing any of these symptoms, the problem may live on the logic board itself rather than the screen, battery, or charging cable.
Device will not power on
No response from a known-good charger and no signs of life from the device.
Not charging
Charge port works mechanically but the device draws no power, charges erratically, or won't run on AC.
Boot loop / stuck on Apple logo
Device hangs on the Apple logo or restarts repeatedly without finishing boot.
Liquid damage
After exposure to water or other liquids — corrosion is progressive and time-sensitive.
No image or backlight issues
Black screen, no backlight, or a faint image visible only with a flashlight.
Shorted board or components
Excessive heat at one spot on the board, blown fuses, or measurable shorts on a power rail.
Damaged charging port or connector
Bent pins, broken solder pads, or a connector that won't seat properly anymore.
Failed or undersized storage
Storage warnings, NAND-related boot errors, or a device that is otherwise fine but out of space.
Data needed from a dead device
Photos, messages, or files trapped on a device that no longer turns on.
When microsoldering is the better path
Board-level repair is the right choice in specific situations. We will tell you honestly when it isn't — and recommend the simpler option instead.
- May avoid a full logic board or device replacement
- Can preserve the data on your original board in many cases
- Useful for devices considered "not repairable" by standard repair shops
- Better option when a single IC, connector, trace, or power-rail fault is responsible
- Lets you keep your existing device, paired components, and configuration
A realistic caveat
Every case requires a diagnosis, and not every board is repairable. Severe physical damage, long-term liquid damage, and prior failed repair attempts can all push a board past the point where microsoldering is worthwhile. We share that read after the diagnostic — before any soldering work is approved.
Our board-level repair process, end to end
Every microsoldering job follows the same predictable workflow whether you walk in or mail your device to us.
Intake & symptoms
We capture device history, prior repairs, drops, and any liquid exposure before opening anything.
Diagnostic inspection
Visual inspection of the exterior and interior, looking for impact, corrosion, or prior repair signs.
Microscope-level board testing
The board is examined under stereo microscope and electrically measured to identify the failed component.
Quote & approval
You receive a clear repair plan, a data plan, and a quote — no soldering work proceeds without your approval.
Repair attempt
Microsoldering work: IC replacement, trace or pad repair, jumper wires, connector replacement, NAND work, or corrosion cleanup.
Testing
Functional and electrical tests confirm the original symptom is gone and no new faults have been introduced.
Pickup or return shipping
Pick up in Revelstoke, BC, or — for mail-in microsoldering — receive your device back via tracked, insured return shipping.
What we work on
Microsoldering and board-level repair are device- and model-specific. The categories below cover the work we do most — contact us to confirm support for your specific device.
iPhone
Logic board repair, NAND upgrades, IC replacement, and board-level data recovery on iPhone models we support — contact us to confirm your specific model.
iPad
Logic board repair, NAND upgrades, charging IC, and connector work on supported iPad models.
MacBook
Liquid damage, no-power, charging circuit, USB-C / Thunderbolt, and soldered SSD upgrades on supported Intel MacBooks.
Apple Silicon Mac (where applicable)
Apple Silicon MacBooks (M1, M2, M3, M4) can be repaired at the board level on a case-by-case basis. Some faults are repairable, some require board replacement — we explain realistic options for your model.
Selected electronics & circuit boards
We handle some board-level work on other devices and circuit boards beyond Apple. Contact us to confirm support for your device.
Important caveats before you book
Microsoldering is an advanced repair, not a guarantee. These are the realistic limits we work within.
- Severe liquid damage may not be repairable — corrosion can progress through internal copper layers and damage the board itself.
- Some NAND/storage work requires backup and restore and may erase data on the device.
- Manufacturer water resistance is not guaranteed after a device has been opened, and we do not promise restored water resistance.
- Model support and storage capacity options vary by generation — contact us to confirm support for your device.
- Data recovery is not guaranteed; outcomes depend on the failure and the condition of the storage chip.
Tell us what your device is doing
Send us your device, the symptoms, and any history of liquid exposure or prior repair. We'll respond with the next step — usually a paid microscope-based diagnostic to confirm whether a board-level repair is the right call. Walk-in service in Revelstoke, BC, and mail-in microsoldering across Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to questions we hear from customers about this service.
What is microsoldering?
Microsoldering — also called micro soldering repair or component-level repair — is precision soldering work performed on a circuit board under a stereo microscope. Instead of swapping the whole board, we work with the individual chips, ICs, capacitors, resistors, fuses, pads, and traces that have actually failed. It is the underlying technique for most logic board repair, motherboard repair, NAND upgrades, IC replacement, and board-level data recovery jobs.
What is board-level repair?
Board-level repair is the process of diagnosing and repairing components directly on the device's circuit board (logic board, motherboard, or PCB) rather than replacing the whole board or the whole device. A typical board-level repair might involve IC replacement, fixing a damaged connector, repairing a short, cleaning corrosion from liquid damage, lifting and replacing a damaged pad, or running a jumper wire across a broken trace.
Is board-level repair better than replacing the logic board?
Often yes. Replacing a full iPhone, iPad, or MacBook logic board is one of the most expensive repair paths, and it usually means losing the data tied to the original board. A targeted board-level repair fixes only the failed component, costs a fraction of a full board swap, and lets you keep the original board (and the data on it). We always diagnose first and recommend the path that genuinely makes sense for your situation.
Can you repair water-damaged boards?
Often, yes — especially when the device is brought in quickly. Liquid damage causes corrosion that progresses even after the device has been dried out, so the sooner we can disassemble, ultrasonically clean, inspect under microscope, and repair the failed components, the better the outcome. Severe or long-standing liquid damage that has eaten through internal copper layers may not be repairable; we will tell you honestly when that is the case.
Can you recover data from a dead phone or MacBook?
Sometimes. Board-level data recovery is the attempt to bring a dead device back far enough to extract its data, or to work directly with the storage chip when the rest of the board is unrecoverable. Outcomes depend on the failure mode, the condition of the storage chip, prior handling, and whether the device is locked. We do not promise data recovery success — we share realistic expectations before any work begins.
Do you offer mail-in microsoldering?
Yes. We accept mail-in microsoldering jobs from across Canada — board-level repair, NAND upgrades, IC replacement, and board-level data recovery. Power the device off, pack it securely, insure the outbound shipment for replacement value, and contact us first so we can confirm the work is something we can do by mail.
How do I know if my device needs board-level repair?
Common signs include: the device will not power on, will not charge, gets stuck in a boot loop or on the Apple logo, has been exposed to liquid, has a black or dim screen with no backlight, has a charging port or connector that has been damaged, or is hitting storage limits. Standard part swaps (battery, screen, charge port) won't fix these if the underlying fault is on the logic board itself. The only reliable way to know is a microscope-based diagnostic.