Nintendo Switch Micro SD Card Reader Replacement

Step 1 Release the Joy Con controller locking tabs




• Before you begin this repair, make sure the device is completely powered off.
• Press and hold down the small round button on the back of the Joy Con controller.
• While you hold down the button, slide the controller upward.
Step 2 Remove the Joy Con controllers




• Continue sliding the Joy Con upward until it's completely removed from the console.
• Repeat this same process for the other Joy Con.
Step 3 Remove the back-side screws

Tool used on this step:
Magnetic Project Mat
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• Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 6.3 mm-long screws securing the rear panel.
• Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Step 4 Remove the top and bottom screws
• Use a JIS 000 driver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the following screws securing the rear panel:
• One 2.5 mm-long screw on the top edge of the device
• Two 2.5 mm-long screws on the bottom edge of the device
• To prevent these tight screws from stripping, apply firm downward force, work slowly and try another JIS 000 or PH 000 driver if the screws won't come out.
Step 5
• Use a JIS 000 screwdriver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the two 3.8 mm center screws on the sides of the device (one on each side).
Step 6
• Use your finger to flip up the kickstand on the back of the device.
• If there's a microSD card in the microSD card slot, remove it now before you continue to the next step.
Step 7
• Use a JIS 000 screwdriver or an official iFixit PH 000 driver to remove the 1.6 mm screw in the kickstand well.
• Close the kickstand.
Step 8
• Open the game card cartridge flap.
• The game card cartridge flap attaches to the other half of the plastic shell, preventing you from completely lifting up the rear panel if it's closed.
• Lift the rear panel up from the bottom of the device and remove it.
Step 9 Remove the microSD card reader
• Use a JIS 000 screwdriver to remove the 3.1 mm screw securing the microSD card reader to the device.
Step 10
• Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to lift the microSD card reader straight up from the device to disconnect and remove it.
• During reassembly, make sure the press connector underneath the foam pad is firmly connected to the motherboard. It may help to remove the foam pad before reinstalling the card reader.

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Craig Lloyd

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