How to Change a New Nintendo 3DS XL Battery

I've been using the same Nintendo 3DS since its release in 2015, and I recently noticed that the battery life was less than ideal. When looking on Google to figure out where to purchase a replacement battery, I realized there wasn't much documentation on replacing a Nintendo 3DS battery. My hope with this instruction guide I will show people how simple it is to change the battery of a Nintendo 3DS, as well as, give tips and tricks to extend the life of the battery.

• PH00 Screwdriver
• Replacement Battery

Note: Any small Philips head screwdriver should work. PH00 was the screwdriver that fits the best and wouldn't strip the screw.

Using your PH00 or similar screwdriver, remove the two screws on the back of the Nintendo 3DS. The screws are designed in a way that they will not fall out of the back cover. Unscrew until there is no more upwards movement.

First make sure you remove any game cartage, stylist, or headphones within the audio jack. Using your stylist or a coin, apply upwards force until you hear the click. Do this on both sides. Picking the back cover up from those notches lift up and towards the game slot. You should hear several clicks. Don't apply so much force that the back cover snaps, it's plastic and snaps easily.

Using either the stylist or your nail, remove the battery from the top. Within the picture, you can see where to place your stylist or nail.

Matching the connections on the battery and the Nintendo 3DS. The positive connection is on the left with the negative on the right.

Note: There are several notches that you can also match up.

Following the same motions in Step 2, slide the cover to clip onto the headphone jack, game slot, and stylist holder. Clipping and applying pressure to the top of the cover by the screws to fully clip in the back cover. Finally screwing the two screws back into the Nintendo 3DS, making sure not to over-tighten. I recommend tightening the screws until you feel slight resistance.

Step 6 and Step 7 are both optional and what I mean by that is they are not fully required but help ensure the longevity of the battery. These steps are what I call battery calibration, they "teach" the battery about its capacity.

Turn on the Nintendo 3DS and wait for it to drain the whole battery. This helps get an accurate battery level reading in the future.

The following steps show you how to change the date and time:

1. Navigate to the setting app on the home screen
2. Press 'other settings'
3. 'Date & Time'
4. 'Today's Date', Changing the date to today's respective date. Then press 'OK'.
5. Press 'OK' again on the pop-up.
6. 'Current Time'
7. Set the current time, noting that it's in 24-hour format.
8. Press 'OK'
9. Press 'Back', until you get to the setting's home menu, then press 'Close' to return to the Home Screen.

This step is the most important step, disposing of a battery properly helps prevent harmful waste from landing in a landfill. There are places to drop batteries off free of charge at most grocery stores and public buildings.