ByteRot :: Game Boy Advance Back Shell 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

Game Boy Advance Back Shell Replacement

Device	Game Boy Advance
Difficulty	Easy
Time	5 minutes
Steps	5

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 back shell (aka rear shell or back cover) on your Nintendo Game Boy Advance model AGB-001.

If you're completely re?shelling your Game Boy, follow this guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Reshell+Your+Game+Boy+Advance/191804).

The Game Boy Advance 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 1 Screwdriver Bit; Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit

Step 1 :: Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

• Before working on your Game Boy, turn the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.
• If you have a game cartridge installed, remove it.
• NOTE: Since your Game Boy will be laying screen?side down for most of your repair, consider placing it on a clean cloth for protection.

Step 2 :: Remove the battery cover

• Release the battery cover tab with your finger and swing the cover away from your Game Boy to remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, insert the tabs on the bottom edge of the cover into their cutouts and press the cover into place.

Step 3 :: Remove the batteries

• Remove the two AA batteries.
• NOTE: If the metal terminals are corroded, follow this guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Clean+Corroded+Battery+Terminals/164164) to clean them.
• REMINDER: When installing batteries, use the diagram (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/CuXVhApCfFZ6DpLL.full) in the battery well to properly orient them.

Step 4 :: Remove the back shell screws

• Remove the seven screws securing the back shell:
    • Six 9.4 mm?long tri?point Y0 screws
    • One 8.5 mm?long JIS 1 screw
        • NOTE: You can try to use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping screws. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

Step 5 :: Remove the back shell

• Lift the back shell straight up and remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, squeeze the shell firmly around the edges and ensure the shoulder buttons and bumpers are properly seated with no large gaps. Gently test the buttons to make sure everything feels correct.

Conclusion

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

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) for troubleshooting help.

Credit