DIY Switch Lite Shell Swap: Step by Step Tutorial [4K] 

Check out the Animal Crossing New Horizons design I made for the Switch Lite! Here is the tutorial on how to make one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TEv1LZozRoU.html

Lol dang I thought all I had to do was just remove the shell

Timestamps for ALL SCREWS -------------------------------------- Just taking some personal timestamp notes for the screws! Kinda messy notes since they were for myself but if you can figure them out I hope it helps! TOTAL SCREWS: 48 (to keep track) 1:47 - x 4 Back Screws - x2 Top Screws - x 2 Bottom Screws 2:25 - x3 Silver x1 Gold Shield Screws 3:03 - x3 Copper Heat Pipe Screws 3:25 - x7 Game Card & Audio Screws 3:44 - x3 Black Fan Screws 4:07 - x2 Gold ZL - x2 Gold ZR 5:06 - x1 Gold Left Speaker - x1 Gold Right Speaker 5:39 - x2 Gold Left Board - x2 Gold Main Board (SAME SIZE & COLOR) 5:53 - x2 Long Silver Midframe 6:05 - x3 'Board Screws' (SAME SIZE) 6:36 - x2 Joystick Left - x2 Joystick Right 6:58 - x1 Long Silver Midframe - x3 Smaller Midframe (LAST SCREWS!)

I have not disappeared. I have been switching gears and working on longer term projects. A change of pace was needed and there is so much more I want to learn and do. Technology is SO MUCH MORE than reviewing only smartphones.

Kinda wish I had a switch. Although even if i did I'd never trust myself enough to do something like this

"Oh, cool, I can do that. At your own risk? Surely you can't be removing tiny parts...?" Starts removing tiny parts. "I can't watch, it's stressing me out! I'll settle for decal stickers!" My hands shake and jerk, so precision work+ tiny parts isn't for me.

As a PC repair tech, I can say that this tutorial was spot-on. Lots of useful tips and warnings that inexperienced users might not consider.

This doesn't look TOO hard. Just alotttttttttt of steps but holy hell is this a 5 hour project easily. God damn

I don't trust me to do this but it looks so cool 🤣

I would recommend making a video on how to fix the joy con drift! There may be lots of videos out there that relate to that topic, but you explain things so well in 4K. Plus you’re awesome!

I just did a shell replacement following this. Some advices: 1: you don't have to disconnect the battery. The little cables that goes to the connector are VERY fragile. They break very easily and if you do like in this vid (unpluging it by pushing out the cables) you will break it for sure. Just make sure that you power off the switch COMPLETELY. Do not dissassemble if you have your system in wait mode or you may fry the motherboard. 2: the same goes to the speakers. You don't have to unplug them. They are EXTREMELY fragile and breaking the cables is very easy. Just handle the board with extra care, but do not unplug them. 3: the new shell should not use the original screws. Use the ones that come with the new shell, as you may crack the shell otherwise like erica said. 4: do not place the hair dryer for a WHOLE minute while it's on hot. Just a couple seconds its okay. You may damage the digitizer and the LCD if it is very hot. Remember that you only need to heat the adhesive, not the LCD. 5: it is not necessary to replace the thermal paste if its in a good condition, but it's always a good idea. The switch lite does not overheat that much either.

When I saw you removing the back cover and I thought Oh it's not that hard... then... you know... I wish they allow us to change the casing like Nokia Xpress-on cover in the past...

"prone to stress fractures" 4 words that equal no sale for me.

I’ve watched a ton of videos on shell swaps and this is my favorite! Very clear and straightforward! Easy to understand! Will be using this video if I swap shells!

This lemon isn't worth the squeeze. I'll just leave mine as is.

Never seen anyone anywhere do a video so crisp and clean with explanations and tutorials and step by step!! I love you ❤️

Thank you for this tutorial! Atomic purple was the color of my first ever game boy color I first got back in 1999 and it will forever be my favorite colorway!

i'm tempted to commission erica to build this from my turquoise lite, especially after the 15th "dont over-tighten" warning.

😍😍😍😍😍 *my God it’s perfect* 😍😍😍😍 ... and I’m too chicken to do it. 😅

Nintendo who made multiple colours: Am I a joke to you?

I thank you for making this. I have had the video saved since july and ive been wanting to do this ever since. Today I finally did and I love it. I appreciate you.

I can’t do clear, my switch v2 case is clear plastic and scratched to high heaven.

Don't even have a Switch Lite but still watched the video :D

I wanted to do this so bad but after watching this video I soon realized this is something you should just pay somebody to do

Thank you so much for this video, Erica. I reshelled a Switch Lite last night for a friend of mine and it turned out impeccably thanks to your excellent breakdown of the process. I can't thank you enough! Now I wanna buy one to do for myself haha

"You can also use P00" My terrible sense of humor: *wheeze*

Oh no....? This is surgery. Nah I'm good. Awesome color though 👌

This is way easier than I thought it would be. The design is genius how everything plugs or screws or pops in. It's just a lot of steps, but that's what the video is for! Haha, so you can follow along. I modded my GBA and I had to carefully trim parts of the shell to fit the new back-lit screen , with the clear green shell, every little cut or scratch shows through. I'm glad this doesn't require any cutting of the brand new shell. I definitely want to do my switch now in a clear jungle green, or clear slime green, or clear orange like the N64

I’ve used this video twice now, both successfully! Thanks a bunch, and happy new year!

This video makes me wanna buy used and/or broken switch lites and re-build them. It was a really good tutorial. I had no idea THERE WOULD BE A THOUSAND SCREWS.

Thanks so much for this tutorial! Loving my atomic purple switch! You made this super easy to understand and super super instructive!! I normally work on older consoles as a hobby, but I’ve started to dip my feet into newer ones and this helped boost my confidence!

I don't comment much on videos, but this was the best case tutorial I have seen so had to compliment you. Clear visuals, concise commentry with no unnecessary waffle. I wish all tutorials were as good as this.

this was super helpful but baby my anxietyyyyyy...was through the roof lol. i don’t trust myself for this

If my lite weren't the limited edition Pokémon one, I would do this, but I'm sure within a few years it'll be up in price and I can sell it for profit brand new in the box.

y’know what imma just send you my switch

Daaamn Violet is my favorite color 🥺 though I'm too scared to do this on my switch lite 😩

So you basically rebuild a Nintendo switch to change the case 😂they really don’t want people changing those cases.

Whoaa so cool. Im getting major gameboy color vibes. Thank you so much for your vids. You inspired to create content based on things that matter to me like the TN and IPS problem with the 3ds.

Good information. Just wish I knew I needed thermal paste before I broke it down! So make sure you have thermal paste before you attempt tearing down your switch. Other than that 99.8% good step by step video

was so excited to replace the shell. now im considering just getting sticker skin lol

I'll just get a professional to do it for me.

How scratch proof are the cases? Btw, you are so much braver than I am with opening consoles lol

Hey Erica I just did this and I must say your tutorial was spot on. I did end up having to get a new screen and digitizer, but thanks to your video this Atomic Purp is dope!!!

Press F to pay respects to the kid who broke his switch

Damn, I wouldn't have to do all this if Nintendo just released a single good color. Literally a whole lineup full of nothing but fugly colors. Why did they choose gray instead of black???

Awesome video thank you! I've done both of my switch lites now, one green see through, and one clear! Any chance you might do one for the regular switch? Or did I miss that one already?

I was following this guide and I made 2 mistakes. 1, I broke off the right speaker entirely from the motherboard (didn't understand what you meant by disconnect) and 2, I snapped of the lock to the fan's ribbon cable. The speaker I don't mind since the other one still works, but I am concerned for the fan. Will it still be able to work? The ribbon cable is in, but just not locked into place.

*I wish there was a place that you could just take or send your switch to and they'll do this shit for you. Better yet I WISH NINTENDO GAVE YOU THE OPTION TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR SWITCH BEFORE YOU ORDER IT*

Anyone else just remove the whole battery connect ? Fucked up my switch @2:56 the black piece came with the battery plug in… I used a spudger aswell. The two grey pieces on the sides are clips, wish I had noticed that before removing the solder points. Hopefully I can get this soldered back ! And hopefully the rest of this video explains a bit more

(Sigh) I need to try this sometime. I LOVE ATOMIC PURPLE! :)

I do not recommend use the colorful ABXY buttons because his quality is so much worse. Use the originals, they also look cool with the translucent switch

ugh, i could totally do this if i could remember where all the screws went. maybe one day when my attention span is longer than forty seconds

I have seen multiple videos on how to do this and your video is the first one I've seen that recommends heating the screen, everyone else just rips off the screen which made me anxious but your way of doing it gives me confidence to try this

do you know where we can still buy that exact same shell as in the video ? the link in the video description goes to a product that isn't sold anymore. and all the other clear switch lite shells from eXtremeRate have this horrible foggy look into them what doesn't make them fully transparent

If one did happen to lose functionality while doing this, what do you suggest?

It's a very well made video that I've watch tons of times to prepare myself mentally for when my shell and buttons arrive. Thanks for all the explanations. Can't wait to try it out!

Do NOT blow dry the screen after placing it on the new shell. It WILL melt the new plastic new case.

I've seen lots of vids of modding the switch lite, this one is the only one that can help anybody mod their NS Lite. Thanks for the great vid Erica! You are really smart 👏

Did exactly step by step as shown and damn thing won't turn on now? Any guesses where to start with troubleshooting?

I broke the screen :) The glue on the screen was strong to the point that you can attach it to the earth planet and the moon and they'll never gonna disconnected

I bought one was in the process of switching everything out and when I was about to take the screen out and the screen cracked so now I have to wait to get the screen replacement

Damn, you're good! 👍 Although I like the shell, it's not worth my effort. I'm ok with all the colors of switch lite (except maybe the grey one) I'll do this only when my switch lite is all scratched up!

even though this is certainly cool and very well done, that gray frame around the screen is hideous.

Just followed this tutorial for one of the ExtremeRate shells. Thank you so much! The way you talked through every step and showed off all the screws and ribbon cables with close-ups was extremely useful.

Great! Now my switch won’t turn on, ugh should of just bought a sticker.

A video from Ericka yea 🤗😊🎮

omg :0 where did u learn how to do this? when i grow up i wanna learn how to do this ⭐️w⭐️

i was on the edge of my seat when the screen was swapped i dont think i have it in me

I got a new shell for mine today and when i was putting it on i accidentally ripped off the power and volume button ribbon cable

Nice. Never liked any of the Switch Lite colors, will definately do a case swap if I get one!

Best tutorial I have watched so far...gave me confidence to do this myself. I have just ordered myself a shell and will give it a go.

great video! but just an FYI you do not need to clean the paste nor replace it, i didnt with mine and it stuck back perfectly fine :)

i’m probably going to attempt this but i’m also very intimidated at the same time

It'd be nice to have an atomic purple shell with the same kind of texture the old atomic GBC had. And some black/dark grey buttons and joysticks.

taking switch lite apart is diy style is not for the faint of heart lmao

ffs nintendo just release a clear switch already, too hard to diy lol

This looks so hard but the result is amazing💗

You repeatedly say "finally" or "lastly" right before listing off a million other things. Just say "next".

This was extremely helpful. You were extremely thorough and I appreciate that. Thanks for the video!!

That's awesome! Great job!!! I love doing stuff like this to tech. The purple switch definitely gives me the clearest purple gameboy.

I don't even own a Switch and I want to try this.

oh boy i wanna do this *watches* nevermind, that is so much work omg, ive done my joycons for my bigboy switch but jesus the lite looks like so much work

I got the pokemon switch lite cuz i like the buttons, it's the only different ones they have. But the shell is the most boring. So perhaps I should change it up. Honestly what I'd rather do is get all the switch lites and mix and match their shells. But that atomic purple... oh my beloved game boy color how I miss you so.

I did the same thing for a normal Nintendo Switch and it is significantly easier. You don’t need to d/c ribbon cables, battery, audio ect. or go into the main motherboard. You just remove a backplate and replace front and back shells of the joycons after you unscrew and undo 4 layers in the joycons themselves...not to mention only 2 types of internal screws. For the Switch Lite you have to basically take everything apart whereas for the normal Switch it potentially takes 15-20 mins if it’s your first go and afterwards when you realise how easy it is, it takes 2mins.

I love watching things that I will never do 😍

Thank you so much! I replaced mine with a white shell.

Can't you just unscrew the top and bottom shell, do nothing else, and just screw on the new ones?

This video was exactly what I needed to get me through changing my daughter's case to pink. Thanks!

I..I did it.. Tips I could give: Put your screws in line order of where she starts and use the tutorial to guide you on which screws go where. Don't rush it, I broke an LCD by being too excited. It's not as hard as you might think, just need a couple hours of free time and a quiet space and anyone can do this. Good luck! 🙏

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I just did the same shell replacement and it worked perfectly!

The outcome is awesome but I could never do this.

Is it okay for me to say that you are just extremely beautiful in every video you make.

Welp I followed this guide, super helpful but I somehow damaged my LCD and it doesn't show an image now. Be VERY careful with the LCD ribbon when you do this! It is stupidly fragile!

One of my kids burned one of the ages next the the right joycon, I just purchased one of these shell's today, i thought it was going to be easier, but also thanks to your video, i think i ll have an amazing SW Lite tuned up !

My suggestion: give it super Famicom coloured buttons and it will look sick. It's just my idea but you might want to consider it. I just love the super Famicom and SNES!

I went through with this video and successfully finished it, thankyou. Though there is some slight light bleed on the right corner of my screen, I'm not sure what to do about it but it's not too noticable

I recently replaced my lite's shell to a transparent green one. But I've noticed that my internal fan isn't spinning when my unit is turned on. Is the internal fan always supposed to be active, or does it turn itself on during long periods?

Erica, thank you! My six year old had a Switch with a busted screen and this turned a $200+ replacement into a $40 weekend project. He's going to think I'm super hacker man now 🤣

Anyone did it after this video? And did not messed up?

be careful recommending a "heat gun on low". Most cheap 2 temp heat guns I've used could easily melt the plastic and fry the screen on low. I suspect the part of your audience who would rely on your guide would be likely to not monitor the heat properly and damage something.