For anyone wanting to know how to swap out the SL/SR buttons, I finally got around to creating a video for you. Sorry it took me so long 🙃 ua-cam.com/video/UjvbBeWxYIQ/v-deo.html
I actually think the red SL and SR buttons look really cool on the right joycon. Reminds me of the color palette for the NES. Although I'm not sure how much it matters when you'll just pop on the strap extensions anyway but whatever.
I found this video before considering switching shells, and it was what made me confident enough to try it. Coincidentally, I actually ended up ordering my shells from your store! I scanned the QR code the shells came with and was surprised to see this familiar video. The swap went perfectly because of this video, and I'm super happy with my new joycon colors. Thank you!
That's awesome, I'm really glad you're enjoying your new shells. Thank you so much for the order, and thank you for sharing your experience. I know a lot of people with the same reservations about swapping their shells.
For beginners wanting to give this a go - this video is the best one. He takes his time, talks through most of the trickier bits and really helps you do this. I only had to slow it down for one or two little bits. My thanks to Fetching Tech for this excellent tutorial!
If you're nervous about doing this, you're not alone. This video is the best and easiest to follow - HUGE thanks to @FetchingTech for this video. The payoff is worth it, folks. You got this! Pro Tips: Watch it a couple of times first before diving in, so you can get mentally ready. Pack your patience and take your time. Get the right tools first. Avoid distractions, if possible. For removing ZL and ZR, I used a large ziploc, and removed them while the joycon was in the bag in case a spring popped out and could be easily rescued.
This is the best tutorial for swap the joycon shells: good camera, good narration, good angles and no stupid introduction or over-explanation. Thank u so much!
Tip: A better technique to get the ZR / ZL button is to use a wedge tool at the top corner of the button, that way you 'pop' it out without the springs flying everywhere. Hover your finger over the bottom side of the button (minimal pressure). Hope this helps
Awesome, I will try that out on my next swap. Thanks for the suggestion. Edit: Can confirm, this is a much better way of getting the shoulder buttons off without risking snapping the plastic or the springs. Thanks for the tip.
Wish i read your comment before switching my shells... Broke my ZL button in the process and lost a spring as well 🤦♂️ ! Ended up buying a cheap used one with drifting issues for spare parts
@@magolord24 unfortunately I don’t have a ton of time at the moment, but I will try to fit it in if I can. The idea is to wedge the spudger in the corner of the shoulder button where it comes to a point, and slide the tool between the button and the tray. It should hopefully come apart less violently.
I’ve bought a pair of custom joycons but I’ve always wanted to try my hand at doing it myself. This video makes it so much easier to follow because I learn better with visuals. Thank you!
I recently bought a red transparent shell for my joycons and thanks to your guidance I was able to safely swap the original shells with the new ones! Thank you so much!
I know this vid is 3 years old but I hope you understand how helpful this is. You made this look incredibly simple. Gonna look up the tools, pick out some nice new shells and come back to this vid. Much appreciated!
Nice video. Just finished changing my shells using your video and everything I needed to know was mentioned. Good camera work and good explanation. Keep it up man!
@@FetchingTech it was very hard for me to insert the ZR conector, so I accidentally ended up ripping off the R button from the motherboard, didnt know it was such a fragile piece :( but I hope it can be solded back. At least the joycon looks good and I can left it for multiplayer
@@danieela15 If it's just the ribbon cable that got torn, you can pick up replacements on eBay. However, if the actual motherboard got damaged that will make the repair a bit more complicated for sure. Worst case, you should be able to pick up a replacement motherboard on eBay for not too much money as well.
*_THANK YOU_* for taking the time to upload this! Because you did, I was able to easily do this project. After the first one, I was able to do two more pairs without this video due to how simple yet thorough you made it.
It’s my first time ever actually taking apart something so complex for me. Thank you for making easy and simple instructions, with good camera angles and lighting. I can’t say how much I appreciate it!!!
Thank you for sharing! You make it look so easy. I followed your guide and it took my about an hour each. Mind you I have no experience in DIY technical electronics skills but I just watched your techniques handling each component and was able to completely change out my shell successfully. Again, many thanks!
I am preparing to shell swap a pair of joy cons shortly, this is by far the best guide I have found. Very well-structured and you present fluidly and clearly. Keep it up, I'm going to explore your channel a bit more.
This tutorial was extremely thorough! And the camera angles were very helpful too. I did find though that the Y00 screwdriver actually worked better for me. The Y0 was too big for the screws on my joycons… but thank you for this great tutorial! There were no gaps or changes in the clicking of buttons when I finished.
You make this looks pretty easy and simple. Thanks for the tutorial. I’m planning to change my shell anytime soon for the first time. Hopefully I can do it well !
No worries, I have faith you'll be able to handle it. Just be patient, and be prepared for it to take longer than you think. The first swap is always a handful.
When I tried it for the first time, I got so many errors in several parts that I even had to start all over again once. But after 3 hours, I can't believe I did it, a perfect joy-con appeared in front of me, your video really helped me a lot, thank you! Remind other people who want to try it, be sure to double check if you are right. After the first one, it is best to take a break and drink some water. The more anxious you are, the more you can't continue. I also recommend you buy some double-sided tape, Because mine doesn't have it, so. I'm worried about the battery shaking during games.
I bought tools and shells from your website and wanted to say thank you so very much! Everything was packaged neatly and arrived very quickly! I followed your video tutorial as well and it turned out perfectly! My switch is so unique now!!!
absolutely amazing video. i wanted to customize my joycon shells and buttons but was nervous about actually taking apart my joycons and accidentally breaking something or doing it incorrectly. this video showed me how to take apart and reassemble my joycons step by step. even though i had some difficulties with my second joycon and one of the screws stripping, i did it successfully and i love the new color scheme of my joycons. thank you so much for this!!
I had been thinking about switching the shells out for a long time since I can't find joycons anywhere. I watched this video before I even bought them, then when I purchase them and decided to put it all together I used this as a walkthrough and it helped me out extremely. Thank you for your step-by-step, greatly appreciated.
Thank you! My kids enjoy them so much and because of this video it made me confident enough to do another pair for my daughter. Would you consider a video of the strap shells replacement and maybe the pro controller?
Man, thank a lot for this video, it's basically perfect, the quality is incredible, well explained, the location of the camera, everything.. Amazing job here
Just swapped out my shells tonight while upgrading the control sticks to the GuliKit. It helped me tremendously, and I'm very pleased with the end result. Thank you for your thorough video!
i know this video is years old but it helped me successfully swap my shells with zero technical experience. took me about 3 hours for both. thank you so much!! ☺️
Tip: There are stickers next to the ZR/ZL buttons that are white with read dots, these turn color when they get wet. If you want you can move them over and that way can know if your joy cons got water inside them if you ever want to.
This was the most stressful thing I've ever done but thank god for your tutorial being easy to follow because I would've never been able to swap out my joycon shells at all
I used this vid to give my left joy-con a d-pad. The d-pad wasnt working at first, but I noticed the trigger was stuck, so once I went back and fixed it, it was perfect!! And I love the d-pad! Thanks!!! It was very helpful and thorough!
Thank you! I needed to do a repair to my right joycon (not the topic of this video IK) and you are literally the only video I could find actually showing how to disassemble the right joycon, every other one (even ones focused on repair/replacement!) only show the left.
Thank you so much for this tutorial. Too many of these that I find elsewhere just don't break things down enough. This was well explained throughout & set a good pace so nothing was missed.
Just changed my joycons to transparent ones and it looks great! You have the best tutorial up here and it would be even better if it includes changing of buttons but nevertheless you have the best slow and detailed explanation which I came back watching over and over again when I’m in doubt. Tips to note : - SL/SR ribbons are EXTREMELY fragile. I have ripped one accidentally and the other one was disconnected if I bent it (so it’s basically useless too - I bought replacement ones online and backup for the near future lol) - The white vibrator is giving me huge heart attacks moments whenever I try plugging out…so I just thought I leave it be and be extremely careful with it 😅 - Do not rush/panic yourself when in doubt, take a sip of water or have a break before coming back to fix it. - Always check if your buttons are clickable after the finished product. Go to Settings>Controllers & Sensors>Calibrate Control Sticks (To check if your joycon drifts) and Test Input Devices>Test Controller Buttons (To check if all your buttons are working)
This video helped me do a shell swap from my gray joycons to the Splatoon 3 ones that I found on etsy! So thankful for your detailed video! I didn't break either joycons thankfully! :D
Ive taken apart my joycons several times for lots of different reasons (button replacement, joystick repair, etc) but ive never done a full shell swap, just ordered some new shells i cant wait to get them
Just used your tutorial to change my shells! It was my first time swapping shells and the process was SO smooth and easy. Thank you!! Definitely one of the best, if not, THE best tutorial on UA-cam :))
Thank you so much, this is the best video of the process I've ever seen. I got both my joycons swapped to Atomic Purple in about 35 minutes total with your help. Thank you again!
I'm glad to hear you made it through, but I'm sorry that one button gave you so much trouble. Was it lining the springs up that gave you the most headache?
I bought the switch not long after it came out, my children have used it excessively since. With the new Zelda coming out, I decided to get myself a new switch. I also ordered a zelda shell and this video has made me a lot less nervous about deconstructing a new switch to change shells. Thank you! I'll be watching this video again when I work on it.
thank you so much! i was scared but your comments on persistence and patience gave me courage to try it. took me about three hours but it came out awesome!
That's awesome, I'm glad you stuck with it. The first swap took me ages too. On the bright side, I expect you'll be able to do it a bit quicker if you ever decide to do it again.
@@FetchingTech YESS! no doubt my confidence went way up after the first one :D i even skipped some steps cause im scared of tearing stuff apart pulling too hard with the tweezers hah but yes, it easier than it looks :P once again thank you ^_^
Hah, I'm not gonna lie, I filmed this about four times before I got it right. It's definitely not the easiest thing to do, but I have faith that most people are capable with a little bit of patience.
Just swapped my shells and sticks for some NES style/Hall effect sticks and this video was so excellent at helping. If you’re questioning whether or not you can do this, you probably can. Just go slow and be patient. It’s quite forgiving.
Now i consider myself one of a professional idiot... But this actually worked and I'm so proud of how i kept optimistic 😭✨ And friendly TIP for the SCREWS! (Considering i thought i had a "mystery screw" at one point lol and this is one of my first times working this immersive) ..... Most of the SMALL screws go on the bottom board, around 3 screws are not screwed in until the 2nd layer comes on, there is ONE SMALL screw that goes on the slider- black thingy- at the end though. I hope that helped! But again, thAnK yOu-
This guide is amazing and it helped me get used to the controller and how to open it properly without breaking anything this guide is recommended for all
This is a great guide! My girlfriend got me a new shell for our anniversary and this made the install super easy. One thing I found to help with the springs launching was to use the tweezers to pull them out before the trigger. My only other advice for anyone trying this is that the left Joycon is easier, so if you’re not confident in your skill, do it first.
I really appreciate this video as I've been terrified of swapping shells as I've heard how tedious and frustrating it can be. On top of that I didn't wanna pay $60 for someone to do it for me But following this video made me realize how simple it is. Only tough part for me was dealing with the springs lol
Awesome, I'm glad you found the video helpful. I would say the springs are one of the more difficult bits. I've started including extras with the shells I sell just because it's no fun crawling around on the ground for those things.
@@FetchingTech thanks I also just purchased your tool kit as I realized how much alot of those tools you used would of helped make things alot easier for me lol
Wow! What a fantastic tutorial! I had never done a shell swap but I made sure I had the same tools as you and was patient and I didn’t have a single issue!(the springs were annoying but they weren’t even as difficult as you would think) THANK YOU! Keep it up! Subbing and liking out of appreciation for this great video!
here is a tip for people that are beginners. Keep the battery and hd rumble plugged into the motherboard, because if you are not careful, you can end up breaking their connectors (speaking from experience here)
Thank you for this video! My brother and I were referencing it tonight when we were swapping my Red/Blue shells for some transparent ones with some Super Famicom buttons (action buttons only, as the kit I got had the same color scheme for the DPad buttons, but I opted not to use them)... They look awesome!
Thank you so much for the video. This helped me, a complete novice at stuff like this, knock it out in a few hours. The trigger one the right joycon is a bit stiff but it still works and it's not the end of the world. Edit: I figured out why the trigger was stiff. I was two springs completely interlaced. Couldn't tell when I first installed it. It works flawlessly now.
2 years later and still useful asf, I've probably swapped out at least 10 shells so far, but I always come back to this video since I forget how to do it every single time lol
I didn't realize how shakey my hands where untill i did this to my joycons lol. Anyway the right joycon was alot harder then the left one, so having done the right joycon first like you did gave me the confidence to know i can easily do the left one. One thing i forgot though is to apply some sort of double sided tape for the battery on the right controller, will i be fine without it? Or should i put tape in it asap?
Yeah, the right Joy-Con is a bit more involved for sure. You should be fine without the double-sided tape. You might notice the battery shifting around slightly if you use a lot of motion controls, but it won't hurt anything.
Just bought two translucents from you recently and now getting a joy stick! (I forgot to for my drift). Thanks so much again! Best tutorial I seen so far and calming!
The best advice is, don’t mix the screws up because you’ll end up poking the front of the shell with one of those long screws and you’ll ruin it.. (talking from experience)
Haha, yes that's always something to keep in mind. I use a magnetic organizer to keep everything separated. Definitely don't want to mix up any screws.
Just followed you tutorial. From never opening a joycon up in my life, both joycon shells were replaced successfully!!....Thanks for this buddy. It's a shame I then went to change the backplate and stripped the first screw..... 😞
Sorry to hear about the backplate screw. I think they might use a different screw size on the console itself, but I've had success switching out a backplate with the same toolkit. I hope you're able to get the screw out.
Was so nervous doing this, thankfully my old cons were neon and the new ones white also! Super easy to follow, thank you so much for such a clear and thorough tutorial :) You have a perfect narrator voice and the music was a nice touch! Lol 😊
Thanks so much for all the compliments. I'm glad you found the video helpful. Truthfully, all these little bits make things pretty challenging, but I guess that's the price we pay for portable tech.
Honestly, thank you so much for posting this. I got gifted a replacement shell for the switch, joycons and dock, and I’ve never really done anything like this. My only warning comment is that the screw drivers provided were absolute hot garbage. I smoothed a couple of the outer shell Y screws, which was horrible. I managed to extract them by running a drill in reverse with what I felt was a huge amount of pressure.
Awesome, I'm glad you found the video helpful. Also, that is one of the biggest complaints I see in reviews is how easily the y-tip screws strip. I'm glad you were able to get yours out without having to brake off the backplate.
I was a little hesitant about doing the swap but thanks to this guy I didn't have any problems and the job turned out perfect for being my first time❤❤❤❤❤❤
This video is so helpful. Just switched my shells while I replaced a joystick and I couldn't have done it without this. Thank you. I did pull off the connector for one of the vibration motors trying to unplug it but I can live with that.
I just got new shells for my joycons and your video is super informative, but i also wanted to change the buttons on the "inside" of the joycons (SL and SR), can i just unscrew the motherboard directly below them or are they not to easy to swap?
Yes, I should have shown that in the video, but it is pretty simple. Just unscrew the two screws on the ribbon cable that hold the SL/SR buttons in place, and swap the rubber membranes to your new buttons. When your putting you new buttons in, just pay attention to the little ears on the buttons. They only go in one way. Let me know if you need me to explain it better.
@@FetchingTech sorry for the late reply, was waiting for joysticks to arrive and i finally changed my shells, thanks again for the instructions and yes it was quite easy to chande the SL and SR buttons, just wanna leave a tip out for whoever finds the same problem as me: if you can't disconnect your rumble motors, or if you fear you'll damage the wires, just leave them plugged in, may be a bit more tricky this way though
Thanks to video i did mines i always wanted do it had my switch for almost 2 years i always thought it was hard but your video makes it look so easy I got the atomic purple cause it reminds me of the color gameboy & the clear purple 64 contoller but i accidentally lost a small part that goes under the trigger ZL looks like a small black dot it went flying since is so small i couldn't find i was going crazy but i remember i had an old controller that didn't work so i open it saw that reset button look exactly like the piece i lost only a lil bigger i grind the bottom cause it wasn't fully flat i put it on it fit like a glove put it together works fine & looks awesome thanks for the video...
Would you ever consider creating glow in the dark (blue) products, such as a glow in the dark joycon casing, joycon buttons, or joycon joysticks? Or perhaps UV-reactive products? I know it is probably not a super high priority, but I thought it might be worth it to ask.
I love that idea. However, I'm unfortunately quite limited on what colors I can offer due to how these shells are manufactured. I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind though, if I decide to start experimenting with other color options.
Hey FetchingTech! Thank you for this video! Have you ever considered a send-in service where if we send in our joycons you will replace the shells for us? I would love to do this myself but am *way* too scared and I would be happy to pay someone to do it for me.
Actually, that is a service we offer. If you choose the format dropdown for an item on our Etsy or Shopify stores, you should see an option for mail-in replacement. Please let me know if you have any questions about the process.
11/10! Doing my first controller was super challenging and frustrating since I had no idea if I was going to mess it up, but once I started the second one I was comfortable and it took me half of the amount that it did for the first one. Super easy to follow!
FYI, I was able to do this without disconnecting anything. I messed up my cord on my first attempt so I bought a new set of joycons and did it without disconnecting anything and it worked great. 👍
This video is a life saver! Just completed the right joy con, right along with you, a few pause and rewind ⏪ for me lol, took me 1 hour & yes one spring flew away from me when removing the trigger button just like you mentioned haha luckily I found it … eventually.. next time I’ll put my hand in a bag while removing the trigger button lol, thank you so much! I’ll do the left tmrw. !
Very useful guide, works very well as a supplement to iFixit's guide. Allowed for a flawless shell swap and got me to a point where I could replace my buckles for metal ones.
Yeah, I hate that bit. I've had success making sure the springs are aligned with the button first thing and then clipping down in place afterwards, but I definitely wish it was a little easier.
I'm finally changing my shells on my joy con after awhile. I always thought it was hard to do so I never did. But I'm finally doing them and this video helped out so much
although i have modded the software on nintendo systems many times before, this is my first time doing anything physical and i was incredibly nervous. Your tutorial was amazing, and the pacing was perfect (slow with the first one, and a bit quicker with the second). I loved that you explained what pieces were instead of just saying “do this, then this, and then this”. The pair i changed the shell on was a refurbished pair i got, and the ZL button didn’t work. I was able to figure out it was because the wires were messed up. So now i have cute new joycons that fully work. Thank you !!
For anyone wanting to know how to swap out the SL/SR buttons, I finally got around to creating a video for you. Sorry it took me so long 🙃
ua-cam.com/video/UjvbBeWxYIQ/v-deo.html
I actually think the red SL and SR buttons look really cool on the right joycon. Reminds me of the color palette for the NES. Although I'm not sure how much it matters when you'll just pop on the strap extensions anyway but whatever.
@@DrMonke-ud2ms I agree. I kind of like the contrast, but I got enough requests that I figured I should show that process.
I found this video before considering switching shells, and it was what made me confident enough to try it. Coincidentally, I actually ended up ordering my shells from your store! I scanned the QR code the shells came with and was surprised to see this familiar video. The swap went perfectly because of this video, and I'm super happy with my new joycon colors. Thank you!
That's awesome, I'm really glad you're enjoying your new shells. Thank you so much for the order, and thank you for sharing your experience. I know a lot of people with the same reservations about swapping their shells.
I'm pretty sure I just ordered it from him too
For beginners wanting to give this a go - this video is the best one. He takes his time, talks through most of the trickier bits and really helps you do this. I only had to slow it down for one or two little bits. My thanks to Fetching Tech for this excellent tutorial!
Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
@@FetchingTech
Very good camera and easy to see
If you're nervous about doing this, you're not alone. This video is the best and easiest to follow - HUGE thanks to @FetchingTech for this video. The payoff is worth it, folks. You got this!
Pro Tips: Watch it a couple of times first before diving in, so you can get mentally ready. Pack your patience and take your time. Get the right tools first. Avoid distractions, if possible. For removing ZL and ZR, I used a large ziploc, and removed them while the joycon was in the bag in case a spring popped out and could be easily rescued.
I love the ziplock bag idea, that's really clever. Thanks for the kind words and great suggestions.
this insane, this is brain surgeon level
This is the best tutorial for swap the joycon shells: good camera, good narration, good angles and no stupid introduction or over-explanation. Thank u so much!
Tip: A better technique to get the ZR / ZL button is to use a wedge tool at the top corner of the button, that way you 'pop' it out without the springs flying everywhere. Hover your finger over the bottom side of the button (minimal pressure). Hope this helps
Awesome, I will try that out on my next swap. Thanks for the suggestion.
Edit: Can confirm, this is a much better way of getting the shoulder buttons off without risking snapping the plastic or the springs. Thanks for the tip.
Wish i read your comment before switching my shells... Broke my ZL button in the process and lost a spring as well 🤦♂️ ! Ended up buying a cheap used one with drifting issues for spare parts
nice. another helpful tip tho, i cover my hands with a blanket before popping it out, springs will fly, but you know exactly where to find it hahaha
@@FetchingTech Can you make a short video on how to do this? I don't understand the comment exactly...
@@magolord24 unfortunately I don’t have a ton of time at the moment, but I will try to fit it in if I can.
The idea is to wedge the spudger in the corner of the shoulder button where it comes to a point, and slide the tool between the button and the tray. It should hopefully come apart less violently.
I’ve bought a pair of custom joycons but I’ve always wanted to try my hand at doing it myself. This video makes it so much easier to follow because I learn better with visuals. Thank you!
Glad I could help. Good luck on your swap.
I recently bought a red transparent shell for my joycons and thanks to your guidance I was able to safely swap the original shells with the new ones! Thank you so much!
That's awesome. I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Your channel has helped me out randomly throughout the years and it wasn't until now that I realized this. So I thank you!
Of course, I’m glad I could help.
I know this vid is 3 years old but I hope you understand how helpful this is. You made this look incredibly simple. Gonna look up the tools, pick out some nice new shells and come back to this vid. Much appreciated!
Nice video. Just finished changing my shells using your video and everything I needed to know was mentioned. Good camera work and good explanation. Keep it up man!
Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad I was able to help.
@@FetchingTech r u going to make more videos? If you’re please do one where u have to replace the right joystick because I loved this video
I wanna do it but I'm scared that I'll mess up my joycons
You're definitely not the only one there. I have faith that you are capable, but I could understand if you don't feel comfortable with it.
I ended up messing my right joycon. please dont do this if you dont have experience or the right tools :( im so sad
@@danieela15 I'm sorry it didn't go as planned. What isn't working on your controller?
@@FetchingTech it was very hard for me to insert the ZR conector, so I accidentally ended up ripping off the R button from the motherboard, didnt know it was such a fragile piece :( but I hope it can be solded back. At least the joycon looks good and I can left it for multiplayer
@@danieela15 If it's just the ribbon cable that got torn, you can pick up replacements on eBay. However, if the actual motherboard got damaged that will make the repair a bit more complicated for sure. Worst case, you should be able to pick up a replacement motherboard on eBay for not too much money as well.
*_THANK YOU_* for taking the time to upload this!
Because you did, I was able to easily do this project. After the first one, I was able to do two more pairs without this video due to how simple yet thorough you made it.
Awesome, I'm glad I could help.
It’s my first time ever actually taking apart something so complex for me. Thank you for making easy and simple instructions, with good camera angles and lighting. I can’t say how much I appreciate it!!!
Awesome, I'm glad you found the video helpful.
Thank you for sharing! You make it look so easy. I followed your guide and it took my about an hour each. Mind you I have no experience in DIY technical electronics skills but I just watched your techniques handling each component and was able to completely change out my shell successfully. Again, many thanks!
Awesome! I’m glad I was able to help
I am preparing to shell swap a pair of joy cons shortly, this is by far the best guide I have found. Very well-structured and you present fluidly and clearly. Keep it up, I'm going to explore your channel a bit more.
Thank you so much for the kind words.
This tutorial was extremely thorough! And the camera angles were very helpful too. I did find though that the Y00 screwdriver actually worked better for me. The Y0 was too big for the screws on my joycons… but thank you for this great tutorial! There were no gaps or changes in the clicking of buttons when I finished.
Awesome, I'm glad the video helped you.
You make this looks pretty easy and simple. Thanks for the tutorial. I’m planning to change my shell anytime soon for the first time. Hopefully I can do it well !
No worries, I have faith you'll be able to handle it. Just be patient, and be prepared for it to take longer than you think. The first swap is always a handful.
Did you do it?
When I tried it for the first time, I got so many errors in several parts that I even had to start all over again once. But after 3 hours, I can't believe I did it, a perfect joy-con appeared in front of me, your video really helped me a lot, thank you!
Remind other people who want to try it, be sure to double check if you are right. After the first one, it is best to take a break and drink some water. The more anxious you are, the more you can't continue. I also recommend you buy some double-sided tape, Because mine doesn't have it, so. I'm worried about the battery shaking during games.
Excellent advice, and I'm glad you were able to get your controllers swapped over. I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
I bought tools and shells from your website and wanted to say thank you so very much! Everything was packaged neatly and arrived very quickly! I followed your video tutorial as well and it turned out perfectly! My switch is so unique now!!!
Awesome! That's about the best message I can receive. Thanks so much for the order, and I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
absolutely amazing video. i wanted to customize my joycon shells and buttons but was nervous about actually taking apart my joycons and accidentally breaking something or doing it incorrectly. this video showed me how to take apart and reassemble my joycons step by step. even though i had some difficulties with my second joycon and one of the screws stripping, i did it successfully and i love the new color scheme of my joycons. thank you so much for this!!
My pleasure, thank you for the kind words.
I had been thinking about switching the shells out for a long time since I can't find joycons anywhere. I watched this video before I even bought them, then when I purchase them and decided to put it all together I used this as a walkthrough and it helped me out extremely. Thank you for your step-by-step, greatly appreciated.
That's awesome to hear. I'm really glad you found the video helpful, and I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Thank you! My kids enjoy them so much and because of this video it made me confident enough to do another pair for my daughter. Would you consider a video of the strap shells replacement and maybe the pro controller?
Ive gone through so many videos and none of them were as clear as this one ! Thank you I appreciate you made this task doable and easy to follow!
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you found it helpful.
Man, thank a lot for this video, it's basically perfect, the quality is incredible, well explained, the location of the camera, everything.. Amazing job here
I'm glad I could help. Thank you so much for the kind words.
Just swapped out my shells tonight while upgrading the control sticks to the GuliKit.
It helped me tremendously, and I'm very pleased with the end result.
Thank you for your thorough video!
Of course, I’m glad I could help
This video may be a year old but the instructions make it so easy to see what to do when replacing all of the parts. Thank you so much
Thanks so much. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
i know this video is years old but it helped me successfully swap my shells with zero technical experience. took me about 3 hours for both. thank you so much!! ☺️
Great tutorial, the camera work is perfect. Thank you!
Awesome, I'm glad you found it useful.
Thank you! I was nervous but had faith and it wasn’t too bad! I did it and I’m so happy you posted this video. Thanks again!
Tip: There are stickers next to the ZR/ZL buttons that are white with read dots, these turn color when they get wet. If you want you can move them over and that way can know if your joy cons got water inside them if you ever want to.
Oh, very cool. I didn't know those were there. Thanks for the tip.
@@FetchingTech yeah, I missed the one on my first joycon but caught it on the last
This was the most stressful thing I've ever done but thank god for your tutorial being easy to follow because I would've never been able to swap out my joycon shells at all
I used this vid to give my left joy-con a d-pad. The d-pad wasnt working at first, but I noticed the trigger was stuck, so once I went back and fixed it, it was perfect!! And I love the d-pad!
Thanks!!! It was very helpful and thorough!
That's awesome. I'm glad I could help.
4 years later, this is still the best and most complete tutorial for Joy-Con disassembly and reassembly. Great work!
Thank you for zooming in.
Thank you! I needed to do a repair to my right joycon (not the topic of this video IK) and you are literally the only video I could find actually showing how to disassemble the right joycon, every other one (even ones focused on repair/replacement!) only show the left.
I’m glad I could help
Thank you! I changed shells without a hitch. People like you are really appreciated. 🤝🏾
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad I could help.
Thank you so much for this tutorial. Too many of these that I find elsewhere just don't break things down enough. This was well explained throughout & set a good pace so nothing was missed.
This tutorial helped a ton! The clear camera shots made it really easy to follow along step by step 👍
Awesome, I'm glad you found the video helpful.
I’m so glad I came with you when changing them out. Now Thanks to you I have a nice unique touch to my switch!
Awesome, hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Just changed my joycons to transparent ones and it looks great! You have the best tutorial up here and it would be even better if it includes changing of buttons but nevertheless you have the best slow and detailed explanation which I came back watching over and over again when I’m in doubt.
Tips to note :
- SL/SR ribbons are EXTREMELY fragile. I have ripped one accidentally and the other one was disconnected if I bent it (so it’s basically useless too - I bought replacement ones online and backup for the near future lol)
- The white vibrator is giving me huge heart attacks moments whenever I try plugging out…so I just thought I leave it be and be extremely careful with it 😅
- Do not rush/panic yourself when in doubt, take a sip of water or have a break before coming back to fix it.
- Always check if your buttons are clickable after the finished product. Go to Settings>Controllers & Sensors>Calibrate Control Sticks (To check if your joycon drifts) and Test Input Devices>Test Controller Buttons (To check if all your buttons are working)
Thank you for the advice. I think those are all great points.
Best video on the process on UA-cam!
I go back and reference it any time I need to open up a Joy Con for any reason.
Masterfully done tutorial! 👍
Thank you very much. I really appreciate the compliments.
This video helped me do a shell swap from my gray joycons to the Splatoon 3 ones that I found on etsy! So thankful for your detailed video! I didn't break either joycons thankfully! :D
Awesome! I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Ive taken apart my joycons several times for lots of different reasons (button replacement, joystick repair, etc) but ive never done a full shell swap, just ordered some new shells i cant wait to get them
Just used your tutorial to change my shells! It was my first time swapping shells and the process was SO smooth and easy. Thank you!! Definitely one of the best, if not, THE best tutorial on UA-cam :))
Awesome! I'm glad you liked it. Enjoy your new controllers.
Thank you so much, this is the best video of the process I've ever seen. I got both my joycons swapped to Atomic Purple in about 35 minutes total with your help. Thank you again!
That's awesome. I'm glad I could help.
@@FetchingTech also I bought your toolkit, 100% recommend to anyone else. Cheap and exactly what you need!
I finally swapped my colors after 2 years. This video really helped. The ZL button took me *2 hours* to get on though
I'm glad to hear you made it through, but I'm sorry that one button gave you so much trouble. Was it lining the springs up that gave you the most headache?
I bought the switch not long after it came out, my children have used it excessively since. With the new Zelda coming out, I decided to get myself a new switch. I also ordered a zelda shell and this video has made me a lot less nervous about deconstructing a new switch to change shells.
Thank you! I'll be watching this video again when I work on it.
Thanks so much for the kind words. Good luck swapping out your Zelda shells.
Absolutely fantastic video! This is so much better than the IFixIt tutorial. You're vid has made it to my "Useful" playlist.
Wow, thank you for the high praise. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
@@FetchingTech Thanks for making such a great video.
thank you so much! i was scared but your comments on persistence and patience gave me courage to try it.
took me about three hours but it came out awesome!
That's awesome, I'm glad you stuck with it. The first swap took me ages too. On the bright side, I expect you'll be able to do it a bit quicker if you ever decide to do it again.
@@FetchingTech YESS! no doubt my confidence went way up after the first one :D i even skipped some steps cause im scared of tearing stuff apart pulling too hard with the tweezers hah but yes, it easier than it looks :P once again thank you ^_^
@@guillehdz6157 You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help. Enjoy your new controllers.
You make it look so easy! I wanna do it but I know il mess it up 😂
Hah, I'm not gonna lie, I filmed this about four times before I got it right. It's definitely not the easiest thing to do, but I have faith that most people are capable with a little bit of patience.
Reminds me of legos # fun
Try it bro my first time wasn’t the best but the second time way easier.👌🏾
:) i’m watching this video for many time but not try yet bc i know i will destroy my lovely joycons =))
Just swapped my shells and sticks for some NES style/Hall effect sticks and this video was so excellent at helping.
If you’re questioning whether or not you can do this, you probably can. Just go slow and be patient. It’s quite forgiving.
Now i consider myself one of a professional idiot...
But this actually worked and I'm so proud of how i kept optimistic 😭✨
And friendly TIP for the SCREWS! (Considering i thought i had a "mystery screw" at one point lol and this is one of my first times working this immersive)
.....
Most of the SMALL screws go on the bottom board, around 3 screws are not screwed in until the 2nd layer comes on, there is ONE SMALL screw that goes on the slider- black thingy- at the end though. I hope that helped!
But again, thAnK yOu-
I'm really glad you found the video helpful, especially with limited previous experience. Thanks so much for the tips and tricks.
This guide is amazing and it helped me get used to the controller and how to open it properly without breaking anything this guide is recommended for all
Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
great work! swaped my whole switch case with your tutorial, was alot easier than it seems to be!
Awesome, I'm glad to hear that, and I'm sure others would be too. It's not as difficult as it looks on the surface.
This is a great guide! My girlfriend got me a new shell for our anniversary and this made the install super easy.
One thing I found to help with the springs launching was to use the tweezers to pull them out before the trigger. My only other advice for anyone trying this is that the left Joycon is easier, so if you’re not confident in your skill, do it first.
Thanks for the great tips. Glad to hear your swap went well.
I really appreciate this video as I've been terrified of swapping shells as I've heard how tedious and frustrating it can be. On top of that I didn't wanna pay $60 for someone to do it for me But following this video made me realize how simple it is. Only tough part for me was dealing with the springs lol
Awesome, I'm glad you found the video helpful. I would say the springs are one of the more difficult bits. I've started including extras with the shells I sell just because it's no fun crawling around on the ground for those things.
@@FetchingTech thanks I also just purchased your tool kit as I realized how much alot of those tools you used would of helped make things alot easier for me lol
@@playboi182 Hah awesome, thank you so much for the purchase. Yeah, it's the best all-in-one kit I've been able to find so far. I hope you enjoy it.
Wow! What a fantastic tutorial! I had never done a shell swap but I made sure I had the same tools as you and was patient and I didn’t have a single issue!(the springs were annoying but they weren’t even as difficult as you would think) THANK YOU! Keep it up! Subbing and liking out of appreciation for this great video!
Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m glad to hear your swap went smoothly.
here is a tip for people that are beginners. Keep the battery and hd rumble plugged into the motherboard, because if you are not careful, you can end up breaking their connectors (speaking from experience here)
i just did lmao. so, do i have to get a new one?
@@aylin4841 well you can always just buy the parts online. And luckily most of them have the connectors connected
Just did this while following the video. Best tutorial I've seen and the easiest to follow. My joycons work perfectly and I'm horrible at technology.
Thank you for this video! My brother and I were referencing it tonight when we were swapping my Red/Blue shells for some transparent ones with some Super Famicom buttons (action buttons only, as the kit I got had the same color scheme for the DPad buttons, but I opted not to use them)... They look awesome!
Awesome, I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Thank you so much for the video. This helped me, a complete novice at stuff like this, knock it out in a few hours. The trigger one the right joycon is a bit stiff but it still works and it's not the end of the world.
Edit: I figured out why the trigger was stiff. I was two springs completely interlaced. Couldn't tell when I first installed it. It works flawlessly now.
Awesome, glad I could help.
Just finished changing my shells using your guide, and everything works! Thank you! ❤
You're welcome. I hope you enjoy your new shells.
2 years later and still useful asf, I've probably swapped out at least 10 shells so far, but I always come back to this video since I forget how to do it every single time lol
That’s awesome. I’m glad you find the video so helpful
I didn't realize how shakey my hands where untill i did this to my joycons lol. Anyway the right joycon was alot harder then the left one, so having done the right joycon first like you did gave me the confidence to know i can easily do the left one. One thing i forgot though is to apply some sort of double sided tape for the battery on the right controller, will i be fine without it? Or should i put tape in it asap?
Yeah, the right Joy-Con is a bit more involved for sure. You should be fine without the double-sided tape. You might notice the battery shifting around slightly if you use a lot of motion controls, but it won't hurt anything.
Just bought two translucents from you recently and now getting a joy stick! (I forgot to for my drift). Thanks so much again! Best tutorial I seen so far and calming!
That's awesome, thanks so much for the support. I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
The best advice is, don’t mix the screws up because you’ll end up poking the front of the shell with one of those long screws and you’ll ruin it.. (talking from experience)
Haha, yes that's always something to keep in mind. I use a magnetic organizer to keep everything separated. Definitely don't want to mix up any screws.
I followed this guide and DIDNT mess up my JoyCons. Great vid.
Now i have clear Joy Cons thanks to you, dude...
Dude, thank you SO much. Really clear and patient instructions. Never thought I'd be able to do this and it worked perfectly!
That's great. I'm glad you found it helpful. Enjoy your new controllers.
Just followed you tutorial. From never opening a joycon up in my life, both joycon shells were replaced successfully!!....Thanks for this buddy.
It's a shame I then went to change the backplate and stripped the first screw..... 😞
Sorry to hear about the backplate screw. I think they might use a different screw size on the console itself, but I've had success switching out a backplate with the same toolkit. I hope you're able to get the screw out.
13:30 this part took me way too funkin long😅
Hah, yes those springs are a bit of a nightmare
Was so nervous doing this, thankfully my old cons were neon and the new ones white also! Super easy to follow, thank you so much for such a clear and thorough tutorial :) You have a perfect narrator voice and the music was a nice touch! Lol 😊
Gotta admit though, that cap cable (7:11) and the ZR-L springs are such a pain at first 😂
Thanks so much for all the compliments. I'm glad you found the video helpful. Truthfully, all these little bits make things pretty challenging, but I guess that's the price we pay for portable tech.
Honestly, thank you so much for posting this. I got gifted a replacement shell for the switch, joycons and dock, and I’ve never really done anything like this.
My only warning comment is that the screw drivers provided were absolute hot garbage. I smoothed a couple of the outer shell Y screws, which was horrible. I managed to extract them by running a drill in reverse with what I felt was a huge amount of pressure.
Awesome, I'm glad you found the video helpful.
Also, that is one of the biggest complaints I see in reviews is how easily the y-tip screws strip. I'm glad you were able to get yours out without having to brake off the backplate.
I was a little hesitant about doing the swap but thanks to this guy I didn't have any problems and the job turned out perfect for being my first time❤❤❤❤❤❤
Don't forget y'all. You can change the color of your joy-con in software via Joy-Con_Toolkit_v5.2.0, so the shell matches what's on the screen.
Can you tell how please?
@@derbackalacker2824 ua-cam.com/video/h7E6IDx8dAk/v-deo.html
This video is so helpful. Just switched my shells while I replaced a joystick and I couldn't have done it without this. Thank you. I did pull off the connector for one of the vibration motors trying to unplug it but I can live with that.
Awesome, I'm glad you liked the video, and sorry about the vibration motor. Those connectors can be a pain.
I just got new shells for my joycons and your video is super informative, but i also wanted to change the buttons on the "inside" of the joycons (SL and SR), can i just unscrew the motherboard directly below them or are they not to easy to swap?
Yes, I should have shown that in the video, but it is pretty simple. Just unscrew the two screws on the ribbon cable that hold the SL/SR buttons in place, and swap the rubber membranes to your new buttons. When your putting you new buttons in, just pay attention to the little ears on the buttons. They only go in one way. Let me know if you need me to explain it better.
@@FetchingTech sorry for the late reply, was waiting for joysticks to arrive and i finally changed my shells, thanks again for the instructions and yes it was quite easy to chande the SL and SR buttons, just wanna leave a tip out for whoever finds the same problem as me: if you can't disconnect your rumble motors, or if you fear you'll damage the wires, just leave them plugged in, may be a bit more tricky this way though
Thanks to video i did mines i always wanted do it had my switch for almost 2 years i always thought it was hard but your video makes it look so easy I got the atomic purple cause it reminds me of the color gameboy & the clear purple 64 contoller but i accidentally lost a small part that goes under the trigger ZL looks like a small black dot it went flying since is so small i couldn't find i was going crazy but i remember i had an old controller that didn't work so i open it saw that reset button look exactly like the piece i lost only a lil bigger i grind the bottom cause it wasn't fully flat i put it on it fit like a glove put it together works fine & looks awesome thanks for the video...
I felt like I was doing surgery
Yeah I called in DR MARIO FOR HELP LOL 😂
You made this whole process a thousand times easier. My switch look great!
Awesome! I'm glad to hear. Hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Would you ever consider creating glow in the dark (blue) products, such as a glow in the dark joycon casing, joycon buttons, or joycon joysticks? Or perhaps UV-reactive products? I know it is probably not a super high priority, but I thought it might be worth it to ask.
I love that idea. However, I'm unfortunately quite limited on what colors I can offer due to how these shells are manufactured. I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind though, if I decide to start experimenting with other color options.
This was extremely helpful! Much better than the extremeRate tutorial for switching JoyCon shells 😁
Hey FetchingTech! Thank you for this video! Have you ever considered a send-in service where if we send in our joycons you will replace the shells for us? I would love to do this myself but am *way* too scared and I would be happy to pay someone to do it for me.
Actually, that is a service we offer. If you choose the format dropdown for an item on our Etsy or Shopify stores, you should see an option for mail-in replacement. Please let me know if you have any questions about the process.
11/10! Doing my first controller was super challenging and frustrating since I had no idea if I was going to mess it up, but once I started the second one I was comfortable and it took me half of the amount that it did for the first one. Super easy to follow!
FYI, I was able to do this without disconnecting anything. I messed up my cord on my first attempt so I bought a new set of joycons and did it without disconnecting anything and it worked great. 👍
Awesome, I'm glad to hear it. It makes it a lot easier if you don't need to swap out the battery tray, that's for sure.
How so?
This video is a life saver! Just completed the right joy con, right along with you, a few pause and rewind ⏪ for me lol, took me 1 hour & yes one spring flew away from me when removing the trigger button just like you mentioned haha luckily I found it … eventually.. next time I’ll put my hand in a bag while removing the trigger button lol, thank you so much! I’ll do the left tmrw. !
Thank you for this! really helped took me about 4 hour since i’ve never done it before but it worked!
Awesome, I'm glad you found the video useful.
I’m currently repairing two broken joy-cons, this was very helpful! Definitely subbing!
Awesome, thank you so much for the kind words. Good luck with the repairs.
Very useful guide, works very well as a supplement to iFixit's guide. Allowed for a flawless shell swap and got me to a point where I could replace my buckles for metal ones.
Very cool, I'm glad you found the video helpful. Hope you enjoy your new controllers.
The way you explain that is so smooth!! Thank you so much i was tired of that blue and red color really 🫶🏽
Awesome, glad I could help.
its literally IMPOSSIBLE to get the trigger on after you take it off. Springs fly into another dimension and never stay straight
Yeah, I hate that bit. I've had success making sure the springs are aligned with the button first thing and then clipping down in place afterwards, but I definitely wish it was a little easier.
Thank you, followed your entire tuto and now i have a sexy clear nintendo switch ;)
Sweet! I'm happy to help.
this literally looks so scary im scared to change out my joycon shells
Hah, it looks a lot scary than it is.
I watched a few tuts before this but it all clicked when I watched this one. Amazing tutorial, thanks!
Finally nintendo switch oled model homemade🗿🗿🗿
The black and white is how my personal controllers are setup too.
I'm finally changing my shells on my joy con after awhile. I always thought it was hard to do so I never did. But I'm finally doing them and this video helped out so much
Awesome, I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Thank You, Took Me 3 hours lol
Haha, you're not alone. I think it's definitely better to be patient the first time you swap your shells.
MIKEXCER I started to do mine at 7:47 now its 10:11 and im almost done so yeah youre not alone
although i have modded the software on nintendo systems many times before, this is my first time doing anything physical and i was incredibly nervous. Your tutorial was amazing, and the pacing was perfect (slow with the first one, and a bit quicker with the second). I loved that you explained what pieces were instead of just saying “do this, then this, and then this”.
The pair i changed the shell on was a refurbished pair i got, and the ZL button didn’t work. I was able to figure out it was because the wires were messed up. So now i have cute new joycons that fully work. Thank you !!
Awesome, I'm glad I could help. I hope you enjoy your new controllers.
Loved the video :)
Awesome, thank you. I'm glad it was helpful.
Bought your product from Etsy, then randomly stumbled upon your video on UA-cam. Small world, thanks for your hard work!
That's awesome, thanks so much for all your support.
Excellent tutorial! Thank You!