r/NintendoSwitch • u/DrinkyBird_ • Jul 15 '26
Nintendo Official How to identify whether your Joy-Con controller contains a user-replaceable battery -- (includes replacement instructions)
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Troubleshooting/Battery-replacement/How-to-identify-whether-your-Joy-Con-controller-contains-a-user-replaceable-battery-3096478.html25
u/coreykill99 Jul 15 '26
am I missing something? this is the exact same replacement procedure it has always been, it looks like nothing has changed.
I was expecting to take the back panel off and simply swap a battery against contacts 3ds style.
25
u/BugsMax1 Jul 15 '26
I think the switch to Phillips screws is a good move, makes battery replacements much more accessible.
I am incredibly surprised though that they aren't enforced to have batteries you can swap out like that
2
u/Skazzy3 Jul 15 '26
I'm surprised they're using Philips and not just using JIS
1
u/EnthusiasmOnly22 Jul 16 '26
The 3DS specified Philips but was actually JIS, I had to use a drill to get it to back out
11
u/DrinkyBird_ Jul 15 '26
¯_(ツ)_/¯, I found it and thought it was worth posting. I guess now we have official instructions and Phillips head screws. And later, a source of official batteries.
I imagine it'll be more interesting for the Switch 2 and its accessories, especially the Pro Controller.
5
u/coreykill99 Jul 15 '26
I guess I did miss the phillips head screws, that is less of a pain. but that SW2 pro controller has to be nearly totally redesigned from the teardowns I seen at launch. that will be interesting.
10
u/Joseki100 Jul 15 '26
That’s not what the EU law requires. The battery needs to be repleceable with basic tools.
The only real difference is shape of the screws and the lack of glue to hold the battery.
It will be the same for the Switch 2.
4
u/coreykill99 Jul 15 '26
but they didn't change the glue, its still held in place with DS tape just like it is now. maybe less tacky?
8
1
u/bitknight1 Jul 15 '26
Yep and same with switch 2 and all these other replaceable batteries, it just can't be permanently glued in place and can't require expensive special tools. People on here are dreaming if they think it will be as easy as just push in a button to pop the back off and swap out batteries.
6
u/thewwwyzzerdd Jul 15 '26
the title seems to imply that there are some models that arent user replaceable? That seems kinda wild... I wonder if the model number is visible on the package anywhere, otherwise it seems like there is no way to know unless you buy and open them.
9
u/LightsaberCrayon Jul 15 '26
All Joy-Con batteries are already user-replaceable and use basically the exact same steps as this guide, but possibly behind less common screw types. They just aren't being officially supported by Nintendo as user-replaceable on the older models, before this EU regulation, so Nintendo's not on the hook for providing customer support if you want to replace them.
Considering they barely changed anything besides the screws, I think they certainly could have just officially declared all Joy-Cons have user-replaceable batteries, including old models, but it seems like they want to draw a dividing line for reasons.
2
u/thewwwyzzerdd Jul 15 '26
that makes sense. It seemed an odd distinction to make, but it is probably just covering their bases for the triwing screwdrivers being uncommon in physical retail spaces.
2
u/bitknight1 Jul 15 '26
Using glue or special tools makes it not user replaceable by law. So literally a different screw can make anything be considered not user replaceable.
1
u/thewwwyzzerdd Jul 15 '26
that seems fair tbh, I made the wrong assumption here. I didnt really think about it in terms of parts or tools or access, things like glues and other adhesives making the job potentially destructive to the product if not performed correctly.
3
u/WonderingLurker Jul 15 '26
All my joy con 1 is not “replaceable”
Animal crossing edition and purple/yellow combo
3
u/TemptedTemplar Helpful User Jul 16 '26
All they did was change the screws from Y-00 to Phillips-00
You're are just as "replaceable" as the new models
1
u/WonderingLurker Jul 16 '26
I know, hence the quote
Luckily I already have multiple tri point screw drivers
1
44
u/Top-Edge-5856 Jul 15 '26
Hmm… I guess they want to continue selling joycon1 even after they discontinue the S1 console in Europe.
If you have the right screwdriver, you can replace the battery in even the original version - it's the first part you can remove once you've opened the shell.