PlayStation Vita Rear Panel Replacement

Written By: Brittany McCrigler

Comments: 13

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 minutes

Introduction

This guide takes you through the process of installing the rear panel. The rear panel houses the rear touch pad.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Power off and remove the memory card.
Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the four 6.4mm screws on the back casing.

Step 2

Using your fingernail or a spudger, pry open the accessory port cover on the top of the device.
Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the two 5.4mm screws hidden beneath the accessory port cover.

Step 3

Remove the two 5.4mm Phillips #00 screws on the bottom of the device near the charging port.

Step 4

Beginning at the sides of the device, use a plastic opening tool to separate the front and rear cases.
Continue working your way around the device gently prying it open.
There are still wires holding the front and rear cases together. You may damage the connections if you yank the cases completely apart.

Step 5

Gently separate the two cases, minding the battery and the touch screen controller connectors holding the two cases together.

One of the shoulder buttons fell out when I was doing this step, along with the piece holding it in place. They go back in just fine when reassembling but make sure that they are oriented properly, of course.

klung - 03/04/21

Step 6

Using a spudger, free the touch screen controller flex cable by gently prying up the connection.

Step 7

Free the battery cable by gently prying up on the connection with a spudger.

Any idea what type of pcb header is on the board for the battery? I have a motherboard with a broken header but I cant source a replacement

Jimbo Jones - 17/05/17

This is where I screwed up so I recommend extra caution for other newbies. Only the black part is supposed to come off. Don't be an idiot like me and pry off too much...

ylimakiminna - 22/06/17

Yea I messed up there too. Is there a way to fix it?

Alethia Henry - 08/08/17

This component was far more stubborn than the screen connector when it came to removal. I opted for a smaller tool than the spudger (small flat-head) and managed to disconnect it after determining the best bit size for the job. Screwdriver is metal, obviously, so being gentle helps to avoid damaging anything.

klung - 03/04/21

broke the white part

Benaya Miller -

Step 8

Separate the front and rear cases.

Step 9

With the help of a spudger, gently pry off and remove the battery cable retainer on the back casing assembly.
The easiest access to the battery cable retainer is where the battery cable comes out.
You can also use the two small tabs on the side of the cable retainer. Locate the tabs and release one at a time. Be a little careful not to push the cover in and re-lock it.

Using the tabs (I could really only see one) on the side of the retainer proved essential for me to remove it and release the cable. Unless that happened that cable retainer was not moving for me at all. It did come out once the tabs were pressed though they did prove somewhat uncooperative with clicking back into place once I had installed the new battery. Also, watch that the battery’s cable isn’t pinched when you’re putting everything back in place.

klung - 03/04/21

Step 10

Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the two 5.0mm blue battery case screws.
Remove the plastic battery retaining bar.

When reinstalling the battery retaining bar, be sure to insert the bottom end (as shown in the photo) into the slot before driving in the screws. If you just lay it on top, you will crack the bar.

Lee Johnson -

Step 11

Using your finger or a spudger, lift the battery out and remove it.
Guide the battery wires through the hole in the back casing as you remove the battery.

Step 12

Slide the spuder between the right speaker and the rear casing.
Using a spudger, gently peel up the right speaker from the light adhesive connecting it to casing.
Remove the right speaker.

Step 13

Slide the spudger between the left speaker and the rear casing.
Using a spudger, gently peel up the left speaker from the light adhesive connecting it to casing.
Remove the left speaker.

Step 14

The rear panel remains.

Conclusion

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

Author

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 05/03/12

88913 Reputation

5 comments

I really enjoyed Your article ! I'm about to replace the touch pad, i got a Vita recently but it has some Heavy scuffs. I've seen the back touch pad has adhesive attached on it. I bought a replacement On Ebay. I'm not sure if the replacement has adhesive with it. If it doesn't what would be your guys Thoughts on what i should use?

Daniel -

lol you will need some kind of adhesive its called common sense if Sony use it you use it simple

TH3ORY - 09/01/16

I can't get pass Step 1. I can take out the bottom left screw of the rear touchpad but I can't take out the other 3. I bought a used Vita and there is a screw that turns but does not gout up. What should I do?

kken07655 - 04/12/16

In the part that remains after complete disassembly, what are the two double pins at the top for, which later come into contact with the motherboard? I already have a new panel, but it has absolutely nothing except this one contact in the lower right part ...

Kamil Dębiec -

Those are wifi antennas. You can get it out put it in to the new panel.

repairguy69 -