ByteRot :: How to Upgrade the Back Ports to USB-C on a GameBoy Advance

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How to Upgrade the Back Ports to USB-C on a GameBoy Advance

Device	Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Difficulty	Difficult
Time	45 minutes
Steps	7

This guide is by Ifunanya O 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 >>

The Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP is renowned for its compact clamshell design and built-in rechargeable battery, yet its legacy charging jack is increasingly cumbersome in today's era of universal USB-C. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step procedure for replacing the factory port with a modern USB-C connector. You will learn how to:

Disassemble the SP's rear housing without damaging plastic clips or ribbon cables
De-solder and remove the original proprietary charging jack
Prepare and align a USB-C breakout module for seamless integration
Perform precise soldering to ensure a reliable electrical and mechanical connection
Reassemble the unit and carry out final functional and safety tests

Upgrading your Game Boy Advance SP requires advanced handling of small electronics and hot-work techniques. Observe the following safety measures at all times:

Soldering Risks
- Molten solder and a hot iron tip can cause severe burns. Always work on a heat-resistant mat, and handle soldering tools by their insulated grips.
- Fumes from solder and flux may be harmful if inhaled--work in a well-ventilated area or use local exhaust.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
- Static electricity can irreversibly damage circuit boards and components. Wear an ESD wrist strap or ground yourself frequently by touching a known earth-grounded object.
Component Damage
- Excessive force when prying or desoldering can crack PCB traces or dislodge nearby parts. Use the proper size of spudgers and solder wick, and apply heat sparingly.
Electrical Safety
- Never attempt repairs on a device that is connected to a power source. Ensure your SP's battery is removed or fully discharged before beginning.
Small Parts & Debris
- Keep track of all screws, springs, and shims--losing even a single tiny component can compromise your reassembly. Work over a parts tray or magnetic mat.

Note: For any troubleshooting, please refer to the video below.

Tools: Cotton Swabs; Soldering Gun / Iron and Solder; Picquic SIXPAC Plus 7 pc. Multi-Bit Screwdriver 6 in.; Desoldering Pump

Parts: Fairphone 4 USB-C Port

Step 1

• Turn off the Game Boy Advance SP completely. Then start cleaning the ports located on the back side of the case.
• Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to gently scrub the inside of the port.
• CAUTION: Do NOT apply too much pressure or use anything sharp to clean the ports.

Step 2

• Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the six Tri-Wing 1.5mm screws as you carefully disassemble your Game Boy into 4 parts: console, battery, back panel, and motherboard. The 6 screws are highlighted in the red circles.
• CAUTION: The next few steps require knowledge of soldering and soldering safety guidelines. We strongly recommend that you review this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kDSYUyg5XE) on how to safely solder.

Step 3

• Next, desolder the back port (highlighted in the red box) from the motherboard using a desoldering pump.
• CAUTION: Take caution of the other parts of the motherboard as you desolder.
• NOTE: Clean off any remaining solder on the motherboard when you finish.

Step 4

• Align your USB-C port in place and ensure the bottom is facing downward.
• Prepare the solder and iron for the next step.

Step 5

• Solder the sides that were previously connected to the old port.
• After it is secured on both sides, solder the 4 metal pins on the back of the new USB-C port.
• CAUTION: Once again, be careful not to damage/apply heat to any of the other parts of the motherboard.

Step 6

• To test for a successful connection, turn on the device.
• NOTE: If it doesn't turn on, ensure the port is connected to the correct points. If it isn't, use your soldering iron to solder the correct metal points.

Step 7

• Follow Steps 1 and 2 in reverse to reassemble.

Conclusion

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

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