Game Boy Advance SP Battery Replacement

£29

No fix, no fee · 12-month warranty · Insured, tracked returns

Signs you need this repair

  • Won't hold charge
  • Runs flat far faster than it used to
  • Only works while plugged in
  • The charge light comes on, but it dies soon after unplugging
  • It's been in a drawer for years and won't come back to life

The Game Boy Advance SP has a built-in rechargeable battery, and like any rechargeable battery it ages. An old SP battery holds less and less charge until the console only works while it's plugged in, or dies as soon as you unplug it. A new battery brings back normal play time. An SP that's been left flat in a drawer for years can also refuse to wake up, and a new battery can be the answer there too, once the charge port and charger have been ruled out.

I remove the old battery, fit a new one, then charge it and test the SP on my bench with a game running, on battery, before it goes back. While it's open, I check the charge port and power switch, since those are the other common SP faults.

This service covers both SP models: the frontlit AGS-001 and the backlit AGS-101. The model code is on the label on the back. The battery is the same job on either model, and the price is the same.

Important: swollen batteries and Royal Mail. A swollen or damaged lithium battery can't be posted. If your SP's battery cover is bulging, or the battery looks puffed up, don't post it. Get in touch first.

There are some honest limits. If your SP won't charge at all, the fault may be the charge port or the charger rather than the battery. GBA SP won't charge helps you narrow it down, and the SP charging repair covers port faults. If you're planning an IPS screen and USB-C port too, the SP full upgrade includes a new battery and works out cheaper than booking the three separately.

Game Boy Advance SP Battery Replacement

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if it's the battery or the charger?
If the charge light comes on and the SP plays while plugged in but dies soon after you unplug it, the battery is the likely cause. If there's no charge light at all, it could be the charger or the charge port.
My battery cover is bulging. Can I still post it?
No. A swollen or damaged lithium battery can't be posted with Royal Mail. Get in touch first.
Does this work on both SP models?
Yes, it covers the frontlit AGS-001 and the backlit AGS-101.

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About this service

How does your mail-in repair service work?
Three steps: book and pay for your repair online, post your item to me using the packing instructions I email you, and I repair it, test it, and send it back tracked. You'll get updates as it moves through each stage.
What is your no-fix-no-fee promise?
Payment is taken upfront at booking. If I can't fix your item, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you. Assessment bookings work differently: the £4.99 covers return postage and comes off the repair if you go ahead, but isn't refunded if you decide not to or it can't be repaired.
Do your repairs come with a warranty?
Yes. Every repair carries a 12-month workmanship warranty against the same fault returning. If it does, I'll put it right.
How long will my repair take?
Most repairs are completed within 3-6 working days of arrival, then posted back by tracked post. If a part needs ordering, I'll tell you as soon as I've diagnosed it and give you a realistic date. Diagnostic-led jobs take a little longer if I'm waiting on your approval of a quote.
How do I package my item safely to post it?
I send clear packing guidance when you book. In short: wrap the item well, use plenty of padding, and a sturdy box — the return leg is insured and tracked, and good packing on the way in protects your item too.
Where do I send my item?
Your postage address is included in the confirmation email after you book — you don't post anything until you've booked, so your item is always matched to your order.
Do you cover the whole UK?
Yes — I run a mail-in repair service, so you can send your item from anywhere in the UK. There's nothing local you need to find.
What if my item turns out to be unrepairable?
I'll tell you honestly and, where the fault allows, offer an alternative. If I can't fix it, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you.