Here you will learn about the processes involved with taking the device apart without causing damage. Keep in mind that we will be working with sensitive electronic components, if you aren't comfortable opening up the device and potentially causing damage DO NOT PROCEED! Ask someone who is able and willing to help you, show them this guide, and prepare to blame them if something goes wrong. I take no responsibility for your actions if you cause damage to your device. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK. Now that we have all of that out of the way, make sure you have all of the required tools and any other helpful tools and supplies so that we can begin!
We start by removing the battery. Take your Phillips 00 and remove the battery panel on the bottom of the device
![The bottom of a Gameboy Advance SP. The battery cover screw is
highlighted](images/apart/apart1.jpg)
With the panel removed, lift the battery by the small notch. The battery will lift out of the device at an angle.
![Removing the battery of the GBA at an angle](images/apart/apart3.jpg)
Next, we need to remove the 6 tri winged screws, so take out your tri wing screwdriver and remove the screws in the following order.
![With the cartridge port facing away from you, first remove the
top middle screw, then the bottom middle, top left, bottom right, top right, and finally bottom left](images/apart/apart4.jpg)
Now carefully separate the bottom case from the rest of the device, it should lift off without any resistance. In the image I show removing the case at an angle but it doesn't really matter.
![Separating the plastic bottom case from the device](images/apart/apart5.jpg)
Locate the three screws around the center of the main board and remove them in a counter-clockwise manner.
![The three screws highlighted with the order of removal in a
counter-clockwise manner specified](images/apart/apart7.jpg)
Next, carefully remove the board by first holding on to the cartridge port and then grabbing the board by the edges. Remember to always hold the board by the edges, touching any other part of the board can cause permanent damage through electro static discharge or ESD. DO NOT PULL ON THE BOARD!! As the next step will show, there is a ribbon cable attached to the underside of the board.
![Holding the board by the cartridge port and the edge](images/apart/apart8.jpg)
Locate the ribbon cable and lay the board down revealing the connector on the board that holds the ribbon cable.
![Laying the board down revealing a circled ribbon cable and connector](images/apart/apart9.jpg)
Use a screwdriver or a spudger to carefully push the black pegs on the left and right edges of the connector on the board toward the direction of the cable.
![Pushing the black peg on the left side of the connector with a
screwdriver](images/apart/apart10.jpg)
This will allow you to completely remove the board from the device for cleaning or replacement. See the supplies section of the FAQ page for advice on cleaning supplies.
![The under side of the main board showing the metal contacts for the
buttons](images/apart/apart11.jpg)
Now we need to remove the five pads that are glued to the screws in the bezel of the screen. I've found that a pointy knife is the best tool for this task, but take care not to accidentally scratch the plastic case.
![The five pads surrounding the bezel of the screen highlighted](images/apart/apart16.jpg)
With the pads removed, unscrew the five screws and close the clamshell. The top part of the case behind the screen should lift off without any effort now, revealing the back side of the screen.
![The back of the screen shown with the panel that was removed set next
to it](images/apart/apart18.jpg)
Carefully feed the ribbon cable through the case and we will have successfully separated the screen from the device. A replacement might not have the ribbon cable twisted like the existing cable is, so take note of how it's twisted if you're replacing it.
![Holding the screen completely removed from the device](images/apart/apart19.jpg)
And that's it! We have completely disassembled the device!
![A completely disassembled Gameboy Advance SP with all of the parts
laid out](images/apart/apartFinal.jpg)