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Home/ Repair guides/ Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement
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Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement

Follow this guide to replace a cracked or...

Nintendo Game Boy Advance Moderate 1 - 2 hours Guide 191996
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Licensed iFixit integration

This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

Follow this guide to replace a cracked or damaged plastic screen lens on your Nintendo Game Boy Advance. The screen lens is the piece of plastic attached to the front shell—not the screen itself. If you're replacing the screen, follow this guide. 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.

Step 1

Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly ⌕
Angled Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • 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.
  • 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

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the battery cover ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Release the battery cover tab with your finger and swing the cover away from your Game Boy to remove it.
  • 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

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the batteries ⌕
  • Remove the two AA batteries.
  • If the metal terminals are corroded, follow this guide to clean them.
  • When installing batteries, use the diagram in the battery well to properly orient them.
Step 4

Remove the back shell screws

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the back shell screws ⌕
JIS 1 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 1 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • 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
  • 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

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the back shell ⌕
  • Lift the back shell straight up and remove it.
  • 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.
Step 6

Remove the shoulder buttons

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the shoulder buttons ⌕
  • Lift the shoulder buttons (aka L and R buttons) straight up to remove them.
  • During reassembly:
  • Since your Game Boy is laying upside down, the L button will go on your right‑hand side, and the R button will go on your left‑hand side.
  • Slide the buttons into place, making sure the peg on the button goes into its circular cutout and the button itself is over the actual button mechanism.
  • The shoulder buttons will sit on the inside edge of the side bumpers.
  • Gently test the buttons to make sure they feel correct. If they don't, reposition them and make sure the metal arms aren't stuck in a weird position under the board.
Step 7

Remove the side bumpers

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the side bumpers ⌕
  • Remove the side bumpers.
Step 8

Remove the power switch cover

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the power switch cover ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Remove the power switch cover.
  • During reassembly, make sure the switch cover is properly slotted around the arm on the switch mechanism.
Step 9

Disconnect the screen cable

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Disconnect the screen cable ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Angled Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use the point of a spudger to fully push up both locking tabs on either side of the screen cable connector.
  • You should feel the tab click into its unlocked position. Don't push too far, or the tab may slide completely out of the connector.
Step 10

Repair step

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — repair step ⌕
Angled Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use tweezers to slide the cable straight out of its socket.
  • The cable should come out with little to no force. If you feel resistance, the tab may not be fully unlocked.
Step 11

Remove the motherboard screws

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the motherboard screws ⌕
JIS 1 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP JIS 1 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a JIS 1 screwdriver to remove the three 7 mm‑long screws securing the motherboard.
Step 12

Remove the motherboard

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the motherboard ⌕
  • Use your fingers to grip the cartridge reader and lift the motherboard straight up to remove it.
  • During reassembly, make sure the speaker gets correctly slotted into its circular cutout (including a small tab on the bottom) when lowering the motherboard into place.
Step 13

Remove the silicone pads

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the silicone pads ⌕
Angled Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • While removing the silicone pads and buttons isn't strictly necessary, it helps prevent the possibility of losing them when removing the screen. If you don't want to remove the buttons, skip ahead two steps.
  • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the three silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, the D‑pad, and Start/Select ).
  • If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot on the motherboard.
  • During reassembly, use your fingers to firmly press each pad into place, using the alignment pegs to properly orient them.
Step 14

Remove the buttons

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the buttons ⌕
Angled Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B as well as the D‑pad).
  • The Start/Select buttons are part of the silicone pad—there are no other buttons to remove.
  • When re‑inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.
Step 15

Where to insert your tool

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Where to insert your tool ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Before prying up the screen, note where you need to pry:
  • There's a seam between the screen and its gasket. Insert your tool here (under the screen) to give yourself the best chance of preserving the gasket.
  • There's a seam between the gasket and the shell. Don't insert your tool here, or you may damage the gasket.
Step 16

Pry up the screen

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Pry up the screen ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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iOpener
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • When removing the screen, be careful not to damage or stretch the adhesive gasket that secures it to the shell.
  • Insert the flat end of a spudger under the screen and pry the screen up. Apply constant, steady pressure to allow the adhesive to separate.
  • If the screen isn't budging, flip your Game Boy over and lay a heated iOpener on the screen for two minutes to soften the adhesive. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer on the Low heat setting—be careful not to overheat your device, or you may warp the plastic.
Step 17

Remove the screen

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the screen ⌕
Coffee Filters or a lint-free cloth
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Coffee Filters or a lint-free cloth Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Remove the screen.
  • If the gasket stuck to the screen, carefully remove it and put it back on the shell.
  • During reassembly:
  • If you're upgrading the screen to an IPS one, you'll likely need to solder or modify the motherboard. Read any instructions included with your replacement part, and check the website you bought the part from for more information. If it's your first time soldering, check out our helpful soldering guide!
  • Compare your replacement screen to the original part—you may need to remove adhesive backings or protective liners from the new part before you install it.
  • If you damaged the gasket, remove all of it from the shell and use high‑concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and coffee filters or a lint‑free cloth to remove any remaining residue. Then, replace the gasket with a new one, or apply strips of double‑sided tape where the old one was.
Step 18

Heat the screen lens adhesive

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Heat the screen lens adhesive ⌕
iOpener
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Lay a heated iOpener on the screen lens for two minutes to soften its adhesive.
  • Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer on the Low heat setting—be careful not to overheat your device, or you may warp the plastic.
Step 19

Remove the screen lens

Game Boy Advance Screen Lens Replacement — Remove the screen lens ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
Angled Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Use your finger to push the screen lens up from the bottom. Apply steady, constant pressure to allow the adhesive to separate.
  • If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
  • Remove the screen lens.
  • During reassembly:
  • If any adhesive stayed on the shell, remove it with tweezers and a spudger and clean the residue with a high‑concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a coffee filter or lint‑free cloth.
  • Remove the adhesive backing from your replacement lens and firmly press it into place on the shell.
  • Your replacement lens will likely have a protective liner on it. To prevent scratches, leave it on until you've fully reassembled your Game Boy.