Introduction
If your Flydigi Apex 5 controller joysticks are not properly responding to inputs, the issue may be a broken or failing joystick module.
Follow this guide to replace the left and right joysticks.
Warning: Lithium-Ion batteries can be a fire hazard. If the controller battery appears swollen, follow iFixit's guide on What to do with a swollen battery.
What you need
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Orient the controller so that its back is facing you.
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Apply firm downward pressure to remove both the M3 and M4 back paddles.
Ask FixBot
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Turn the controller over so its front faces you.
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Remove the D-pad by firmly pulling it away from the body of the controller.
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Remove the clear, magnetically-adhered faceplate of the controller by firmly pulling it away from the body of the controller starting from the edge of the faceplate.
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Remove the small cover from the rear of the controller by pushing it upward.
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Remove the two 5.8mm screws behind the battery cover using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
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Turn the controller over so its front faces you.
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Remove the six 10mm long screws from the front of the controller using a Torx T6 screwdriver.
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Insert the plastic opening tool between the top and bottom plastic controller molds, then pry until the two pieces separate.
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Carefully remove the back paddle ribbon cable with the angled tweezers or spudger.
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Press a prong of each side of the angled tweezers under the lip of the power supply cable connector and pull the plastic connector out of its terminal.
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Pull the power supply cable through the plastic cable guides.
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Press a prong of each side of the angled tweezers under the lip of the motor's power supply connector and pull the plastic connector out of its terminal.
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Lift the motor directly upward out of its casing.
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Press a prong of each side of the curved tip tweezers under the lip of the motor's power supply connector and pull the plastic connector out of its terminal.
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Lift the motor directly upward out of its casing.
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Remove the USB-C faceplate by inserting the spudger as shown, pushing the spudger forward while twisting slightly.
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Remove the two 1mm screws using a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
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Remove the plastic battery mold by lifting away from the controller.
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Remove the four 5mm screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
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Remove the two vibration motor housings by pulling away from the controller.
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Remove the three 1mm screws using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.
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Use your index finger to push on the left joystick, while also pulling on the motherboard with your other hand.
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Lift the latch that retains the right joystick flex cable.
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Gently pull the cable away from the connector.
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Lift the latch that retains the right joystick flex cable.
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Gently pull the cable away from the connector.
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Remove the three 6mm screws using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.
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On the other side of the board, use the spudger to separate the trigger module from the blue rotation sensor.
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After reassembling the controller with new joystick modules, you must recalibrate the joysticks. To do so, power on the controller and hold Start+Select+DPad up for 3 sec. Rotate the joysticks a few time and click them in to calibrate them and hit Start+Select+Dpad up again up to exit the calibration. Credit: @hoxigen
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
NOTE: The flex cables have a line on the side opposing their contacts. This line indicates when the cable is properly seated in the connector. The line should be flush with or hidden by the connector.
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One other person completed this guide.
Team
Idaho State University, Team 1-3, Watkins Spring 2026 Member of Idaho State University, Team 1-3, Watkins Spring 2026
ISU-WATKINS-S26S1G3
4 Members
59 Guides authored
2 Guide Comments
Amazing guide! One additional thing to mention is the calibration process after swapping the joysticks. You need to power on the controller and hold Start+Select+DPad up for 3 sec. Rotate the joysticks a few time and click them in to calibrate them and hit Start+Select+Dpad up again up to exit the calibration!
@hoxigen Thank you for pointing this out! I have added it as the last step of the guide. Thanks again for the info!
