ByteRot :: Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement

BYTEROT - retro PCs, consoles and lost software

Get an account

Accounts are free. Join #retro on irc.fxnet.org, identify with NickServ and type !req.

[ how ]

IRC

#retro on irc.fxnet.org
6697 ssl · 6667 plain
modern + vintage clients welcome

[ vintage how-to ]

Sections

OS 1,075

DRIVERS 61

SOFTWARE 22

GAMES 10

UTILS 37

DOCS 561

INCOMING 0

REQUESTS 0

LIBRARY 25,406 files

Some stats

releases	1,766
last 24h	+750
online	404.1 GB
library	1.2 TB
members	0
updated	2026-10-04 23:30

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement

Device	Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	30 - 45 minutes
Steps	13

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 buttons in your Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP.

This guide covers how to replace the action (A + B), shoulder (L + R), D?pad, brightness, and Start/Select buttons, plus the ON/OFF power switch cover.

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; Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit; Spudger; Tweezers

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.

Step 7 :: Unclip the shoulder buttons

• NOTE: The shoulder buttons are located on the rear shell. They're made up of three parts (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/BbjO5YNlxhgSkbUB.full)--the plastic cover, a hinge pin, and a small spring.
• Use the point of a spudger to push the spring arm out from under its clip.

Step 8 :: Remove the shoulder buttons

• NOTE: The button's three parts will likely fall out during removal--don't worry, just set them aside for reassembly.
• Lift the shoulder button straight up and off its hinge pin to remove it.
• Repeat the process to remove the other shoulder button.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, follow this guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Install+Shoulder+Buttons+in+Your+Game+Boy+Advance+SP/193210) to install the shoulder buttons.

Step 9 :: Remove the power switch cover

• Use your fingers to lift and remove the power switch cover.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • Use your fingers to put the power switch cover (notched side up) into place so the cutout goes around the actual switch (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/K5mXTLbSGyAbw3j4.full).
    • Gently slide the cover back and forth to make sure it's positioned properly and moving the switch.
        • NOTE: If the switch isn't properly in its cutout, you won't be able to power on your Game Boy.

Step 10 :: Remove the motherboard screws

• Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the three 4.1 mm?long screws securing the motherboard.

Step 11 :: Prop up the motherboard

• Place a sturdy object such as a stack of books or tool case along the edge of your Game Boy with the hinges.
• Use your fingers to gently flip the motherboard over the hinges and prop it up.

Step 12 :: Remove the silicone pads

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the four silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, D?pad, brightness, and Start/Select).
• NOTE: If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot on the motherboard.

Step 13 :: Remove the buttons

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B, D?pad, brightness, and Start/Select).
• REMINDER: When re?inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

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.

Credit