Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement

crwdns2915892:0crwdne2915892:0

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.

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.

crwdns2942213:0crwdne2942213:0

crwdns2931653:01crwdne2931653:0 Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

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

crwdns2913378:0crwdne2913378:0

crwdns2931653:02crwdne2931653:0 Remove the battery cover

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Remove the battery cover: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Remove the battery cover: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to loosen the captive screw securing the battery cover.
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.

crwdns2913378:0crwdne2913378:0

crwdns2931653:03crwdne2931653:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

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

crwdns2913378:0crwdne2913378:0

crwdns2931653:04crwdne2931653:0 Remove the battery

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Remove the battery: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Remove the battery: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Bottom Shell Replacement, Remove the battery: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Use your finger to lift the battery by the tab on its left edge, then remove it.
During reassembly:
Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery—it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
Your replacement battery may come with a plastic enclosure that slides over the battery.
Insert the edge of the battery with contacts at a slight downward angle—aligning the contacts with their prongs in the recess—and press the battery into place.