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Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Back Cover Replacement

Device	Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Difficulty	Easy
Time	5 minutes
Steps	6

This guide is by Rocco Lattanzio 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 back cover is the only layer between the motherboard and the many things things that can ruin the motherboard. Expect the six screws that hold the cover to the device to be fastened tightly.

Tools: Phillips #00 Screwdriver; Tri-point Y00 Screwdriver

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 four 6.5 mm screws from the corners of the back cover using a tri-point Y00 screwdriver.
• Remove two 4.6mm screws from the top-center and bottom-center of the device using a tri-point Y00 screwdriver.

Step 6

• Lift the back cover off of the device.
• CAUTION: Potential for device damage: These inner components are vulnerable to static electricity. Exercise caution when handling these next steps to prevent damaging the device.
• REMINDER: Look out for the power switch that can fall out when taking the back cover off.

Conclusion

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

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