Mail-In Data Recovery Case Study

Samsung Galaxy S21: Freezing & Restarting Data Recovery

Rescuing data from a malfunctioning flagship by performing a highly complex CPU, RAM, and UFS reball to fix cold solder joints.

Device

Samsung S21

Issue

Freezing & Boot Looping

Service

CPU, RAM & UFS Reball

Result

100% User Data Safely Extracted

B2B Outsourcing Alert

If a customer brings you a device with this issue, don’t tell them it’s unfixable—you are leaving money on the table. We partner with repair shops across Canada and the US to handle advanced board repairs like CPU reballs. You look like a hero, and we both make money. Contact us for wholesale rates.

The Problem

This Samsung Galaxy S21 was mailed in for data recovery with a very frustrating symptom: the phone would boot up fully, but within a few minutes of turning on, it would freeze completely and force a restart.

Our Diagnostic Process

Applying the K.I.S.S. principle, we first ruled out basic software and storage faults. We verified the device had adequate available storage and cleared the cache from the recovery menu. Neither attempt stopped the freezing.

When software fixes fail on a device that is freezing and boot looping, it points to a common hardware fault in modern Android devices: cold solder joints. Over time, heat cycles and slight flexing of the phone cause the microscopic solder balls connecting the CPU, RAM, and UFS memory chip to crack, breaking the electrical connection.

The Repair & Recovery

To stabilize the phone long enough to extract the data, we needed to perform a highly delicate, simultaneous removal and reballing of all three major processing chips.

  • Chip Extraction: Using perfectly calibrated heat, we safely sliced through the tough Samsung underfill and removed the RAM, CPU, and UFS memory chip in one continuous process without bending or overheating them.
  • UFS Health Check: Because UFS chips can fail internally, we cleaned the memory chip and tested it in our JC Programmer to confirm the chip was healthy and the data was still readable.
  • Motherboard & Chip Prep: We meticulously removed the hardened underfill from the motherboard and the chips, carefully tinning away any stubborn oxidized pads.
  • Precision Reballing: Using customized stencils and semi-dry solder paste, we formed perfectly uniform new solder balls on the CPU, RAM, and UFS chip.
  • Reinstallation: We flowed the newly reballed chips back onto the motherboard, giving them a gentle nudge to confirm surface tension had locked them into place.

Result:

Once connected to power, the Galaxy S21 booted up normally. We started a timer and monitored the device. The freezing and restarting issue was completely resolved, allowing us to safely backup the customer’s precious photos and memories!

Watch The Full Repair Process

Watch an in-depth 23-minute masterclass as we remove the underfill, test the UFS memory, tackle severely oxidized solder pads, and perform a perfect CPU reball.

“Cold solder joints are a notorious point of failure on modern flagship devices. When a phone constantly freezes and restarts, many repair shops assume the motherboard is permanently dead and the data is lost. By safely extracting the CPU, RAM, and UFS chips and applying a fresh, high-quality reball, we can restore the physical connections and save data that others call ‘unfixable’.”

Junayd

Lead Tech

Nationwide Mail-In Data Recovery

Did another shop tell you your device is unfixable? We accept mail-in devices from across Canada and the USA. Whether you are a panicked customer or a repair shop looking to outsource, we operate on a “No Data, No Fee” policy.

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