Analogue Pocket Buttons Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 2

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace, change, or upgrade the buttons in your Analogue Pocket.

This guide shows how to replace three sets of buttons:

Action buttons (historically A, B, X, and Y)
Home and menu buttons
D-pad and components

Tools

Step 1

Unplug all cables and fully power off your device.
Working on your device requires laying it screen-side down. To prevent damage, lay it on a soft surface such as a towel.

Step 2

Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 13.4 mm‑long screws securing the battery shell.

Step 3

Lift the bottom edge of the battery shell to unhook its tabs.
Remove the battery shell.
During reassembly, hook the tabs on the top edge of the battery shell into their slots in the rear shell before securing it in place.

Step 4

Use blunt nose tweezers to pull the battery connector out of its socket on the bottom right corner of your device.
If you're having trouble, try rocking the connector side-to-side to help loosen it.
During reassembly, use the flat end of a spudger to push down on the edges of the connector until it's secure in the socket.

Step 5

Lift one of the battery's short edges until the clips release.
Remove the battery.
During reassembly, push the battery into its recess until the clips engage.

Step 6

A plastic clip secures the center of the button board.
Use the point of a spudger to push the clip out and release the board.
Don't try to remove the board—a delicate ribbon cable secures it to the device.

Step 7

Swing the bottom edge of the button board up and over the cartridge reader.
Set the board on top of the cartridge reader so the cable's connector is facing the bottom of the device.
During reassembly:
Put the top edges of the board under their tabs on the rear shell.
Lay the board onto the rear shell so the alignment posts go into their circular cutouts on the board.
Press the board down until the plastic clip engages.

Step 8

Use the tip of a spudger or a clean fingernail to flip up the hinged locking flap on the board cable ZIF connector located on the board itself.
Use blunt nose tweezers to pull the cable straight out of its socket.

Step 9

Remove the board.

Step 10

Sliding tabs secure the perimeter of the rear shell.
Firmly grip your device with one hand.
With your free hand, lift the bottom edge of the rear shell until it clears the front shell.
Pull the rear shell down until the sliding tabs disengage.

Step 11

Remove the rear shell.
During reassembly:
Thread the button board cable through its slot in the rear shell.
Lay the rear shell on the front shell so its bottom edge slightly overhangs.
This allows the tabs to slide into place. If the rear shell is perfectly flush with the front shell, the tabs won't slide.
Push the rear shell in and slide it up to engage the sliding tabs.

Step 12

Use the tip of a spudger or a clean fingernail to flip up the hinged locking flap on the right speaker cable ZIF connector.
Use blunt nose tweezers to pull the cable straight out of its socket.

this is the left speaker, not the board

Mykhailo Kolesnyk -

Step 13

Repeat the process to disconnect the left speaker and power/volume button cables from their ZIF connectors.

Step 14

Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the 7.4 mm‑long screw securing the main board.

Step 15

Don't try to remove the board—a delicate ribbon cable connects it to the screen.
Grip the outer edges of the cartridge reader and gently lift the bottom edge of the main board until you can access the screen cable.
Keep the main board raised for the next step.
During reassembly, make sure none of the three main board cables get stuck under the board when lowering it into place.

Be sure to remove the SD card first.

Mykhailo Kolesnyk -

Step 16

Be very careful not to scrape off or damage any surface mounted components during this step.
Insert the flat end of a spudger under the top right corner of the screen cable press connector.
Twist the spudger to disconnect the screen cable.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 17

Lift and remove the main board from the front shell.
To prevent damaging any surface mounted components, lay the board on your workspace cartridge reader side down.
If any part of the thermal pad came off the large CPU on the board's top edge, use your fingers to gently put it back in place.

Step 18

Remove the three silicone button pads.
During reassembly, align the pads and push down to secure them over their buttons.
The directional button pad has a cutout that aligns with a post on the front shell. The action and home button pads can be rotated any direction.

Step 19

Use blunt nose tweezers to remove the buttons.
During reassembly, use the alignment tabs to orient each button in its recess. The buttons will only fit in their recesses when in the proper orientation.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

49372 Reputation

Analogue Pocket Buttons Replacement

Introduction

Tools

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