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Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement

Device	Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	5 - 10 minutes
Steps	6

This guide is by Spencer Day on iFixit and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0. ByteRot mirrors it for non-commercial preservation: formatting changed and photos resized for old browsers; full-size photos and the text are on the FTP in /DOCS/REPAIR. Original guide >>

Follow this guide to replace, upgrade, or customize the bottom shell (aka back shell, rear shell, or back cover) on your Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP.

If you're completely re?shelling your Game Boy, follow this guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Reshell+Your+Game+Boy+Advance+SP/137582).

The Game Boy Advance SP uses JIS screws. If you use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in JIS screws, you'll risk stripping them. iFixit's Phillips bits are designed to be compatible with JIS screws.

Tools: iFixit Precision Bit Driver; JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit

Step 1 :: Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

• Slide the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.
• If you have a game cartridge in, remove it.

Step 2 :: Remove the battery cover

• Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to loosen the captive screw securing the battery cover.
• NOTE: You can try to use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping the screw. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

Step 3

• Lift the edge of the cover near the screw and remove the cover.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, hook the tabs on the bottom edge of the cover into their slots and lay the cover into place.

Step 4 :: Remove the battery

• Use your finger to lift the battery by the tab on its left edge, then remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • CAUTION: Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery--it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
    • NOTE: Your replacement battery may come with a plastic enclosure (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/AjbNiXYo4IjHmjmi.full) that slides over the battery.
    • Insert the edge of the battery with contacts (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/cJ4ZcVQRCO6Kk1Jg.full) at a slight downward angle--aligning the contacts with their prongs (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/N2qYpL2LmeRFSh1F.full) in the recess--and press the battery into place.

Step 5 :: Remove the bottom shell

• Use a tri?point Y0 screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the bottom shell:
• Four 6.3 mm?long recessed screws
• Two 4.6 mm?long screws

Step 6

• Lift the bottom shell straight up and remove it.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/E-Waste).

Repair didn't go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Troubleshooting_Problems_After_a_Repair), or ask our Answers Community (https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Game_Boy_Advance_SP) for troubleshooting help.

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