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Home/ Repair guides/ Reshell Prereq
Official iFixit API visual reference

Reshell Prereq

This guide shows how to remove everything from...

Nintendo Game Boy Advance Moderate 1 - 2 hours Guide 195206
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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

This guide shows how to remove everything from the Game Boy Advance for reshelling, without reassembly bullets.

Step 1

Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

Reshell Prereq — 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

Reshell Prereq — 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.
Step 3

Remove the batteries

Reshell Prereq — Remove the batteries ⌕
  • Remove the two AA batteries.
  • If the metal terminals are corroded, follow this guide to clean them—for better access, you can remove the back shell.
Step 4

Remove the back shell screws

Reshell Prereq — 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

Reshell Prereq — Remove the back shell ⌕
  • Lift the back shell straight up and remove it.
Step 6

Remove the shoulder buttons

Reshell Prereq — Remove the shoulder buttons ⌕
  • Lift the shoulder buttons (aka L and R buttons) straight up to remove them.
Step 7

Remove the side bumpers

Reshell Prereq — Remove the side bumpers ⌕
  • Lift and remove the side bumpers.
Step 8

Remove the power switch cover

Reshell Prereq — Remove the power switch cover ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Lift and remove the power switch cover.
Step 9

Disconnect the screen cable

Reshell Prereq — 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

Reshell Prereq — 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

Reshell Prereq — 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

Reshell Prereq — Remove the motherboard ⌕
  • Use your fingers to grip the cartridge reader and lift the motherboard straight up to remove it.
Step 13

Remove the silicone pads

Reshell Prereq — 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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  • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the silicone pads covering the action buttons (A and B), D‑pad, and Start/Select buttons.
  • If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot on the motherboard.
Step 14

Remove the buttons

Reshell Prereq — 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 action buttons (A + B) and D‑pad.
  • The Start/Select buttons are part of the silicone pad—there are no other buttons to remove.
Step 15

Where to insert your tool

Reshell Prereq — 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

Reshell Prereq — Pry up the screen ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
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 screen 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

Reshell Prereq — Remove the screen ⌕
  • Carefully lift the screen up and remove it.