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Screen Removal

Prerequisite Only
This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and isn’t meant to be used alone.

What you need

    1. Screen Removal, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: step 1, image 3 of 3
      • Slide the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.

      • If you have a game cartridge in, remove it.

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    2. Screen Removal, Remove the battery cover: step 2, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Remove the battery cover: step 2, image 2 of 2
      • 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.

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    3. Screen Removal: step 3, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal: step 3, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal: step 3, image 3 of 3
      • 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.

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    4. Screen Removal, Remove the battery: step 4, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the battery: step 4, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the battery: step 4, image 3 of 3
      • 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.

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    1. Screen Removal, Remove the bottom shell: step 5, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Remove the bottom shell: step 5, image 2 of 2
      • Use a tri‑point Y0 screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the bottom shell:

      • Four 6.3 mm‑long recessed screws

      • Two 4.6 mm‑long screws

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    2. Screen Removal: step 6, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal: step 6, image 2 of 2
      • Lift the bottom shell straight up and remove it.

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    1. Screen Removal, Remove the power switch cover: step 7, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Remove the power switch cover: step 7, image 2 of 2
      • Use your fingers to lift and remove the power switch cover.

      • During reassembly:

      • Use your fingers to put the power switch cover (notched side up) into place so the cutout goes around the actual switch.

      • Gently slide the cover back and forth to make sure it's positioned properly and moving the switch.

      • If the switch isn't properly in its cutout, you won't be able to power on your Game Boy.

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    2. Screen Removal, Remove the motherboard screws: step 8, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Remove the motherboard screws: step 8, image 2 of 2
      • Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the three 4.1 mm‑long screws securing the motherboard.

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    3. Screen Removal, Prop up the motherboard: step 9, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Prop up the motherboard: step 9, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Prop up the motherboard: step 9, image 3 of 3
      • Place a sturdy object such as a stack of books or tool case along the edge of your Game Boy with the hinges.

      • Use your fingers to gently flip the motherboard over the hinges and prop it up.

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    1. Screen Removal, Remove the silicone pads: step 10, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the silicone pads: step 10, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the silicone pads: step 10, image 3 of 3
      • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the four silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, D‑pad, brightness, and Start/Select).

      • If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot on the motherboard.

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    2. Screen Removal, Remove the buttons: step 11, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the buttons: step 11, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the buttons: step 11, image 3 of 3
      • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B, D‑pad, brightness, and Start/Select).

      • When re‑inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

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    1. Screen Removal, Remove the speaker: step 12, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the speaker: step 12, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the speaker: step 12, image 3 of 3
      • Use the point of a spudger or a clean fingernail to lift the speaker until you can grip it with your fingers.

      • Remove the speaker.

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    2. Screen Removal, Prop up the main body: step 13, image 1 of 1
      • Remove the circular mesh from the speaker recess and set it aside—the piece can easily fall out and get lost when working.

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    3. Screen Removal, Prop up the main body: step 14, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Prop up the main body: step 14, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Prop up the main body: step 14, image 3 of 3
      • Be careful not to strain the screen cable during the next few steps—it has very little slack.

      • You need to prop up the main body of your Game Boy in order to disconnect the screen cable without straining it. Here are two ways to do so:

      • Option 1: Open the main body of your Game Boy to a 90‑degree angle and gently lay the motherboard down. Make sure the main body is resting on top of the motherboard to give the cable slack.

      • Option 2: Keep the main body closed and prop it up on the edge of the logic board, using a sturdy object to hold it up.

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    4. Screen Removal, Disconnect the screen cable: step 15, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Disconnect the screen cable: step 15, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Disconnect the screen cable: step 15, image 3 of 3
      • Use the point of a spudger to push the two tabs on either side of the screen cable connector into the unlocked position.

      • Only push the tabs until they stop. If you push them too far, you may slide the locking tab off the connector.

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    5. Screen Removal: step 16, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal: step 16, image 2 of 2
      • Use a pair of tweezers to gently slide the screen cable out of its socket.

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    6. Screen Removal, Remove the main body: step 17, image 1 of 1
      • Remove the main body from the motherboard.

      • During reassembly, prop up the main body for enough slack reconnect the screen cable.

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    1. Screen Removal, Open your Game Boy: step 18, image 1 of 1
      • Open your Game Boy to a 90‑degree angle and set it down so the screen is facing up.

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    2. Screen Removal, Remove the rubber screw covers: step 19, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the rubber screw covers: step 19, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the rubber screw covers: step 19, image 3 of 3
      • Use a pair of angled tweezers to pry up and remove all five rubber screw covers.

      • Removing old, brittle covers without damaging them can be tricky. Make sure to pry gently between the cover’s edge and the frame—don’t dig into the cover itself.

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    3. Screen Removal, Remove the screen screws: step 20, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Remove the screen screws: step 20, image 2 of 2
      • Use a tri‑point Y0 screwdriver to remove the five 4.7 mm‑long screws securing screen shells together.

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    4. Screen Removal, Close the main body: step 21, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Close the main body: step 21, image 2 of 2
      • Fully close your Game Boy (the button cutouts should be on top).

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    5. Screen Removal, Remove the hinge cover screw: step 22, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the hinge cover screw: step 22, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the hinge cover screw: step 22, image 3 of 3
      • Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the 6.3 mm‑long screw securing the hinge cover.

      • You may need to use your free hand to hold the screen cable out of the way.

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    6. Screen Removal, Flip your Game Boy over: step 23, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Flip your Game Boy over: step 23, image 2 of 2
      • Flip your Game Boy over.

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    7. Screen Removal, Remove the hinge cover: step 24, image 1 of 2 Screen Removal, Remove the hinge cover: step 24, image 2 of 2
      • Use your fingers to lift and remove the hinge cover.

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    8. Screen Removal, Remove the top shell: step 25, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the top shell: step 25, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the top shell: step 25, image 3 of 3
      • Depending on the age of your device, the screen may stay attached to its outer shell. If it does, make sure to thread the cable through its cutout while removing the shell.

      • Use your fingers to lift and remove the outer screen shell.

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    9. Screen Removal, Remove the screen: step 26, image 1 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the screen: step 26, image 2 of 3 Screen Removal, Remove the screen: step 26, image 3 of 3
      • Use your fingers to lift and remove the screen, threading the cable through its cutout.

      • If your screen stayed attached to the shell, you may need to gently pry it up with a spudger before removing it.

      • During reassembly:

      • Place the screen foam-side up into its recess, so the cable is near the hinges.

      • Make one loop in the screen cable and then slide it through the cutout.

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Finish Line

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Spencer Day

Member since: 09/14/22

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