How to Replace the Nintendo Switch Console Front Shell - eXtremeRate 

While watching your video I noticed I didn’t put the speaker covers or the LED indicator back into the new front bezel cause neither did you and I watched this video todo it probably should mention that lol

So I'll just be replacing the backplate... yeah... that sounds good

just a note for anyone doing it like this guy did and shows us; i would reallly recommend placing the suction cup on the serial number side because i know some of you forget about the little fragile screen ribbon cables and tear them apart while pulling the screen. if you are not using a screen suction tool then by all means be carefull. thanks for the vid, this has really helped me in my journey to replace the front shell.

I swapped the frame from my second console today. And everything works fine as it should. Thanks for your high quality stuff.

Whenever doing a mod like this, it's like walking into a dark forest with only a tutorial video as your guide. Halfway through I was sure this is not going to end well but I was wrong - I got it back together in perfect condition! Only difference on my HAC-001 was that the display and digitizer were two separate pieces. Thank you for the excellent video. And as others pointed out, please remember to remove the speaker meshes and LED diffuser from the old sub frame.

This is why I fw ExtremeRate I was looking for a video on this..and boom my switch is looking fresh af now

I did the all Scarlet Red kit and used this vid to walk me thru the front part. Looks beautiful!!! Two things you forgot to transplant was the speaker dust covers and the light sensor piece at the bottom. Didnt realize it until i had already reassembled my Switch. Think its stressful taking that screen off once try it a second time lol.

I just bought a pack of drift protectors, a backplate, 2 joycon shells and a front plate from you. Took me 2 hours to do the back plate and the 2 joycons, they look absolutely gorgeous! I watched the videos on those before buying and somehow thought the front plate would be manageable. I should have also watched the video of the front plate before buying... I gave up right after I removed the silver plate, which took me almost an hour to make the slot of SD card working again. Too much hassle right now to return the front plate, but will buy again from you :)

thought your video was unnecessarily long at first, since i thought it would be as easy as replacing the back plate..😅 thanks for doing is step by step it really helped me a lot.

I get to do this this coming weekend and I'm so stoked!!! Thank you for all the lovely info and tutorials, my Switch (and someday soon my GBA) looks phenomenal and will only get better! Hope you guys think about possibly doing shells for the Steam Deck, would be really cool to have all my handhelds matching!!

Just feel like to let you know that I succeed in replacing a white front frame by following your clip haha!! After I've tolerated that original black for a long time finally I can take it out! and have a white one I love, I'm so delighted. Now with a white backplate, pink joy controllers, gold&white buttons, and a new white front frame, my switch looks perfect for my eyes. THANKS, A lot for the clip, and amazing products I love them all^^

This is a rabbit hole, last week I tried to order a touch screen to replace my damaged one, then I found you on Amazon, and I realised my switch was full of scratches, so I order those black shells and also some gold buttons for my joycons too. My orders will arrived on Tuesday, hopefully I won’t fuck up anything after watching this video lol

I did it! thanks for the guide! Now full white console, new batteries, 1gig micro sd, new screen protector and ofc day 1 switch :D

Thanks for the tutorial. Now my switch looks great and functional again. I highly recommend getting this for those who are a professional enough to accept a challenge. ;D

This really completes the look for a shell swap but it is a bit intimidating. Nonetheless, great work!

Saw the video, had to do it. My Switch looks really cool now. Had a small scare, but it just turned out to be a loose flex ribbon, got the back plate, and Joycon shells to complete the look. (Atomic purple). Thanks a lot!

Recently finished this mod and my switch looks so good! I used the sakura pink front to go with the sakura petals shell set for the backplate and joycons. Finished it off with your screen protector with the pink border as well :) I would love to get the sakura petal pattern on shells for my pro controller and dock faceplate as well, if you guys ever do that.

I just finished doing this. But now only one of my joycons work at a time. Not sure what I missed I went step by step in this video :/ unless something got damaged in the process. Any idea?

I just finished doing this replacement faceplate mod twice now because I didn't know to move the speaker covers and light sensor plastic piece in the front face housing. Lmao! Shockingly smooth experience for me. Having to remove the screen twice was annoying but i had a heat gun and just took my time to heat it up and use the pry tool. I would rate this about 7 on a scale 1 to 10 of difficulty. As long as you have a iFixit kit and are patient, should be smooth sailing. Very happy with the clear blue faceplate to match the rest of my switch now. 😎

Just didn mine in green with both kits to re live my gameboy color nostalgia. Love this product. The plastic seems a bit sturdier than the original switch release

Hey, I recently put my Switch back together after replacing the digitizer and the LCD panel tilts on the left side. Any ideas as to why that'd be? Thanks.

First of all, this is a GREAT tutorial. Very detailed and helpful for people who are not that skilled. But even with this helpful video I came across problems. My screws kept stripping, these things were obviously made not to be taken apart. I also didn't have a suction cup so I had to make due. Everything in the end turned out ok but my touchscreen doesn't work now and I had a few scratches show up. I honestly wouldn't recommend doing this unless you're ready to cause some damage and possibly have to replace your screen which I might have to do. But atleast I have this video to help me take it apart now.

Thanks for the tutorial, I managed to change my girlfriend's switch shell without any hang-ups. As someone else already said: do NOT try this if you're not acquainted with this stuff. There are sensitive parts such as thermal paste on the CPU and heatsink which you should not touch nor remove. Most importantly, you seriously risk to break your Switch display/touch screen if you use too much force. If you wanna do these kind of mods, ask some professional, or just buy a cool external shell! 😁 Oh and btw, the battery should be disconnected as soon as possible.

Should i also replace the thermal paste, and will the same paste work as computer thermal paste?

do you guys have a gold front same as the back and joy con ones

me: there’s possibly nothing else i can customize on my switch right? 😸 yall: bet

Thanks for the help, although I wish you mentioned the use of a heat gun at the beginning. Since I had already taken it apart I just gently pried it off and it worked out but yeah probably wouldn't have gone that far if I knew I needed that heat gun lol

So, I just replaced the housing frame on my switch, but now it won't turn on properly. All I get is a brief black screen that flashes off. I was able to get it working in tv mode, but I'm stuck on the maintenance screen. Now it won't work in tv mode. I tried holding the power button for 15-30 seconds and I opened it back up to unplug the battery for an hour, but it didn't seem to work. Any help would be appreciated.

Pin this comment because I have something to say, I successfully did this repair on a HAC-001 this channel is so helpful! I was scared to do this at first but after studying this video I DID IT and my switch is BRAND NEW NOW! 100% satisfaction

This is good but having a close up on which screws you suppose to use would help when putting it back together. A simple picture edit could show the right screw in a corner would be easy.

Did this, the whole switch turns on, touch screen works and all but I have no visual feedback, like I see the light of the screen, i can use the touch screen but i dont have any image, pls help

Great tutorial overall - I just finished my installation using this exact same shell. However, I just noticed that the eXtremeRate front shell doesn't come with the mesh filters that protect the openings to the front speakers (these are the two small openings on the bottom corners of the screen). So now there are two holes exposing the inside of my switch with nothing to prevent dust or other contaminants from entering it :/

Did everything like in the video twice but my console no longer turns on but gets power from the dock and no picture on the TV

I started to do this mod a year ago but i could not get a small enough screwdriver to finish removing the inards to do the clear pink faceplate. is there a link to the screwdrivers you used?

I'd recommend adding a set of the adhesive with the shell, as I find reusing the old one a bit concerning.

10:40 that beat starts to slap! If you can sit still listening to this, you were robbed of a soul.

Watched it at 2x speed and still felt like real time. This guy was already moving in slow motion!

Just did it and it turned on just fine, but then gave me a game card slot error and shut off unexpectedly, and I was able to restart it after I removed a game from the card slot, but it continually shuts off after about 1 minute after pressing the power button, pretty consistent timing. What went wrong, and can it be fixed? I now do not have a functioning console. I’d greatly appreciate some kind of suggestion to look for what parts to check when I have to go back and build it again. PS: please update the title of this video to reflect the more recent upload being a more accurate teardown and rebuild (making this one obsolete), as I did not figure out about the speaker covers until after I already was 98% finished rebuilding and do not have the time to go back in and fix it for a while. Thank you!

Thanks, only needed the first few mins for the back plate. Tried watching the entire thing because i was curious and got too stressed out lmao. Its too much. Im okay with just the joycons and the back panel uwu

I broke my display by accident but my switch looks gorgeous

So I have a hair dryer, how long should I put it around the screen? I am worried about damaging the screen from too much heat.

I’m replacing my switch screen. Should I reuse the adhesive or should I re apply new adhesive. If so would regular 3m double sided tape work or do I need I special kind of double sided tape?

Will there ever be a shell mod for the Oled switch model?

Hi, anyone knows where can I get replacement cable for 11:05

I could never do this, let alone reshell my joycons, and but this looks cool af. I wish Nintendo did this officially.

I read the description and am curious as to whats different in the process with the older model of switch

Do you know someone or a company I could send this to? Just asking as a thought. Mine is cracked and I want to replace it

Just ordered a replacement and im super nervous about this one. Ive moded my joy con shells and the back shell with no issues but something about the digitizer scares me 😬

Are stripped Y screws impossible to remove? A bit off topic from the video, but it’s stripped on my one joycon. It’s not a big deal if I can’t remove it, but I would like to get back into the controller

Is there a way to send you th switch and the other stuff so you can do it for like another 40$ for installing or something?

My screen wont turn on anymore... I only came to minute 11 since one of the sinde screws striped and i couldn't get it out -.- Any idea what connector i messed up? (Backligth turns on)

You have this in clear blue? Just got your housing but I want do it completely blue.

Do you have a v.1 model, it’s different from what I see here.

did the swap on purple joycon shells, had a lot of fun doing it and it looks amazing. Was thinking of doing the back shell for switch console, but then would lose switch logo. So may do this instead.

I love eXtremeRate stuff they even send a great srews and driver !!!!!

Is the same for 2017 switch?

I was able to get it done without completely dismantling the device by reinserting the center screw loosely into the side rail that you took out to remove back console then removed the rest although I’m not sure they all have to come out to remove the front shell. Then I just disconnected the screen and digitizer and backlight then was just very cautious with heat mindful of the delicate electronics under while removing the screen. It does seem a bit harder to get all the cables through their proper channels the way I did it opposed to the video, but I think I probably spent less time fussing with that than it would’ve taken for me to fully disassemble and reassemble the console.

serial label cannot be transferred?

I love the word "sunction" and I will be incorporating it into my everyday vernacular

Although this mod is very cool and difficult to perform. Only do this mod if you know what you’re doing and don’t risk doing this if you have Pokémon or Animal Crossing save data intact on your Switch (Because they can’t be backed up)

do you guys have any advice if the second screw at 11:30 is stripped? :(

Does anyone know if the front metal housing frame interferes with wifi?????

It's so hard to do ! Your video is really good ! (Adding chapter would be a big plus) I tried to change the back and front. For the back it was very easy in fact and I should have stayed to that, but I tried the front and... semi fail. The console work, the SD card works, but the screentouch doesn't work (I can see the image) and the card player isn't recognized when I insert a game (The part you have to clip is so hard, the one showed at 42:48) I won't say I don't care about the screentouch, but almost. I'll try to fix it myself one day, for the card reader, else I would bring it to a repair service. As someone else said, it's really something we should handle with extreme care, and it's better if someone skilled can do that (I'm not skilled at all, even if I'm not soooo bad, that's why it wasn't a complete fail) Update : Everything works now for me. The issue was certainly that part at 42:48 which is hard to insert. Once the game cardige system has been recognized everything was okay and even touchscreen works ! The only issue is I didn't glue the screen very well but It's still okay

😲Is very difficult. You deserve a trophy...

Solo hace falta acceder a quitar la pantalla para acceder a los 4 tornillos para retirar la carcasa no ??

I am super nervous about doing this I have built PCs and done my joycons but that is about it. How do u think I will do? The reason I am doing it is bc I want an all white design with the air force blue buttons and my back and front plate have some chips and other stuff on it but the screen is perfectly fine

I just took a look at your store and am tempted to buy this as I've replaced the back plate, dock cover, and a few joy cons with your products, but I have two questions: 1. Is the finish of the atomic purple shell matte or glossy? The video makes it seem like it's matte and I'd love that as I avoid clear shells simply because they have a glossy finish to them. 2. Will you be making a light gray option? I have the SNES back plate from your guys on my Switch, as well as the SNES joy con shells and would love to complete the look with a matching front cover. Thanks!

Heavy... now I just got background light in handheld mode but nothing on screen. :/

Help, I gave up when the heat gun came out, and just started puting everything back together, but now when I power up my switch I see the light come on but nothing on the screen, but I can still tap and hear everything

Any chance you guys will upload an update on this? Where you don’t disassemble everything and show you putting the led indicator and the speaker covers in the new front?

I just finished replacing the front shell, but when I turned my switch back on the image on my screen didn't appear. It's backlit and makes sound, but there is no image. Anyway to fix this issue? I'm not sure what I broke or put back together incorrectly.

this looks like an absolute nightmare process based on the length of the video... ...but it'll make my switch look sexier..... CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

1. How hot is your blow gun? what temperature did you set? 2. is there any other way without blow gun? 3. and do you know what adhesive tape is similiar to the one used? just incase needs replacing .. many thanks.

can this be done as well as adding in a new screen?

this is unrelated but when will the remap kit with 4 back buttons and trigger stops come out?

Kinda mad one of the side bar screws stripped on me and i cant get the thing out. 😒

I know this is a bit old, but as an IT worker who deals with laptops all the time, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY asap so you don't short anything out, you don't know how many motherboards have been killed at my job by new people not doing this

I want to see a video with everything swapped. Front, back, and both joycons. And the glass screen protector. Put it all in one video. I want to see it all together!

I don't have a heatgun though, can I use a hair blower instead?

I was just looking up videos on how to replace the screen because mine has a few small scratches on it. Now I'm in a rabbit hole of wanting to change the entire look of my switch! Looks complicated, though.

any stores where to get full shells? I saw aliexpress selling just Red full cover

Hi, what is the width of the double sided tape?

I made this replacement 3 in 1 I replaced the front shell the backplate an the touchscreen all works fine. I made it really slow because I wouldn’t break anything so It took me 4-5 hours fun. Now I have a full transcleat Switch From extremerate i habe replace joy con shells last year now switch shell. Extreme rate i Love your products really please never stop to bring new things out well done extremRate! Thank you! Go On!!!

I hope to see a purple galaxy theme shell housing for the switch and switch lite. Kind of like when Nintendo did the purple galaxy 3ds

I don't have image on the screen. The screen itself works and the touchpad reacts, but the picture itself does not appear. I don't know what to do. It seems that everything was connected correctly...

Do you think a hairdryer would be OK instead of a heat gun ??.

My suggestion is: if you're gonna reuse the screen adhesive, heat up the screen bezel again after reinstalling and press firmly.

Oh gosh, I bought a backplate and front plate for my switch because I knew the backplate was pretty simple. But oh my lord- I think I'll just store my front plate somewhere for later. I don't have the confidence to replace my joycon shells, much less the front plate. 😅

I wouldn’t do this rather put a skin on then risk breaking it but looks amazing I did my joycons and backplate that’s enough for me lol x

Question: what temp would you say is best for the heat gun for removing the screen digitizer?

So just did this and followed all of the instructions to a T, and now I have an orange screen. What could be causing that? A loose cable?

If I'm going to replace both the frame and the backplate, would I do the frame first and then the backplate after?

Hello nice what are the songs ?

Looks cool as hell but I don’t have the confidence for this..I changed my own dock faceplate and switch backplate but this is basically a full dismantle, and there is no promise that double sided tape will hold as well or not get damaged. If I can find someone else creditable at this I’ll pay them to do it lol..also should thermal paste have been added to the heat tube?

is there a reason why the main control board needs to be removed?

While taking off my screen, a white cord and a chip that says in white TE2299393-1 and black 163327 fell off from somewhere. Where would I reconnect it if possible and what part is it? Can anyone help with this?

I'm going to attempt this except original black and I'm replacing the front and back plates. I've been doing repairs for 1 and a half years now,this will be my biggest repair yet

Where is this led indicator? On the hac001 or does it even have it?

Thanks for showing us this. I just ordered a new front replacement shell for the switch since my old one is cracked on top. This is gonna be my first time opening up my switch so I hope I don’t break anything especially the screen. 🤞 Also quick question: I don’t have a heat gun can I just use a blow dryer to help take off the screen?

Do you have a jungle green one?