Nintendo Switch Upgrade Mod: Original to V2 (Better Battery Life)

Upgrade Original Switch to V2 Version with better battery life with a motherboard swap! Tear down tutorial. #FixAtHome challenge! www.iFixit.com/... For $10 off your $50 dollar purchase. Follow this link as well to see the tool kits I use.
I teardown the Switch with iFixit to swap New V2 motherboard into the original model. This turns your original Switch into the model with better battery life, while letting you keep your favorite screen.
Mod time code: (3:10)
Disclaimer: This WILL void your warranty! I am not responsible for any damage caused by doing this mod if you don't know what you are doing.
Seriously awesome beats by:
"The Lift" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons...
"Furious Freak" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons...

[@EricaGriffin]

Mod at (3:10) Note that the batteries on both models are the same size! The processor revision is what provides the better battery life, as it is more power efficient. I also find that it runs cooler than the original. AND IF YOU PLAY ANIMAL CROSSING NEW HORIZONS AND DO THIS YOU GET TO KEEP YOUR ISLAND BECAUSE IT IS CONTAINED ON THE BOARD!

[@TAILSORANGEs]

TEAM "RIGHT TO REPAIR" says Louis Rossmann. Be sure to check out his youtube channel.

[@TAILSORANGEs]

Greetings from Singapore - In partial lockdown.

[@Gatefan1565]

YES! Do a full step by step please!!!

[@cortezjolly8122]

Step by step guide pls

[@Recoverel]

Good for my wife to know. Thanks for the updates!

[@waifubreaks1572]

I like my v1 switch just the way it is, exploitable tegra and all

[@bboyalanleung123]

So I am guessing swapping the motherboard the tegra explorer wont work. No point doing it then. ..hmm

[@onepiece190993]

Yeah, at least to know that if something happens to the unit besides the motherboard, you could transplant it to a new brand new switch :)

[@zergslayer69]

Yea I thought about doing this upgrade too, but looks like you'd lose the ability to homebrew since I would imagine the mobo is where the exploit happens

[@nellyps3]

Yeah im keeping v1 then.

[@Paniio123]

@@zergslayer69 the cpu is where the exploit happens but yeah swapping out the mobo is a nono for homebrew

[@jeppewerring]

Now you made me self conscious if my Switch Lite has a bad screen! lol

[@Fendera1]

Building the perfect Switch 👍 Taking the best screen and combine it with a V2 board... good idea.

[@EricaGriffin]

The insanity! Yeah, this is what we did. I got tired of having to settle.

[@TAILSORANGEs]

@@EricaGriffin Next step: Custom 3D printed Computers?

[@nightmare_recaps5834]

A metal body nintendo switch with small bezle display would be great.

[@davidsoto8445]

So the v2 Switch, has an underwhelming screen? ...did not know that.

[@SuhaylKhatib]

I also didn’t know the Nintendo switch v2 had a worse screen than the v1

[@ezraleite7260]

oh man, i didn’t know the switch screens were so inconsistent too!! thought we left that behind with the 3DS 😞

[@LoriH2O]

The display on my first switch isn't all that great. Honestly I just kinda assumed they were all like that until I saw a friends switch. Made me pretty sad. Replaced it with a revision 2 switch and made sure that the unit I received had a nice display. Soooo much better!

[@mollerbt]

Took me 3 switch's to find a good display.

[@abqarishauqi6312]

What's worse that 3DS both of the screens can be different at a time.

[@luisfernando55]

@Ezra Leite that's why a lot of people were in love with the PS Vita

[@Ryanlexz]

What does that means?

[@tkta69]

Can you do it in detail please, I also have both v1 and v2 and would like to do it!!! Thanks and great idea !!!! Take care

[@Saamniferu]

Yes I agree! Please do this!

[@samdeen95]

Did she do a video in detail?

[@BarteQ72]

Zack is proud :D but something is missing hmmm "unclips like a little lego" xD

[@kalomeon]

Now this is something I can get behind. I too have doubles or triples of things and I also do random swaps like this.

[@TheJunky228]

I didn't realize there was such a screen lottery on the newer Switch . Well I'm keeping my original one as-is, not only because it's still working great, but because it is permanently 'hackable'

[@ZeroAlligator]

I would definitely appreciate an in depth video, thanks for sharing this. Love your videos!

[@segamanxero]

FYI if you are not aware. While the older board is disadvantaged with efficiency / battery life, it has the positive aspect of being able to be exploited to run payloads that can launch custom firmware / homebrew, or even Android. Keeping my V1 around for Android myself, as one of my gripes was not being able to use the switch to browse the web like prior Nintendo devices. That and I guess running Android games as well.

[@Nickachuuu]

Be sure to keep that switch offline. Nintendo has been known to not only target the system but the user entirely making your purchase history nonexistent.

[@AnotherFreakingDude]

So that was basically a screen replacement 😂

[@ResidentFurryx]

Essentially, but it requires less work than moving the screen to a new shell. Because you'd pretty much have to remove everything else to get to the LCD anyway. Lol

[@pizza619]

No it wasn't

[@ralphgittens6660]

Love you and your videos Erica! Please don't stop doing vids. So informative and straightforward.

[@MrSOTARTS]

Happy to see you back! 😁 I'm a sucker for seeing things taken apart

[@stangfan79]

Erica, what, no more phone reviewing?! I love the way you show attention to display quality on phones! I really wanted to see you review the OnePlus 8 phones. Especially the 8 Pro!

[@EricaGriffin]

Nah, man. I need a break. I might review a few phones here and there that interest me. But dude, there is always another phone... and another and another. It all blends together. Got to explore some new areas for a while.

[@stangfan79]

@@EricaGriffin I had an idea that might be the case too and I surely get it. Phones are popping up like crazy and they are very close to the same specs throughout. Gotta have fun doing what you do!

[@michaeldavison9454]

Followed this to put my v1 motherboard into the v2 shell and screen helped so much thanks

[@lawrenceslsko1391]

I don't know what Erica Griffin did to offend Google Buh KZbin never sends me notifications of her video. Been a subscriber since 2015.

[@EricaGriffin]

It’s just broken. You have to hit the notification bell and say all or personal notifications.

[@Maxr1998X]

Unfortunately though, the new Switch is not "hackable" anymore. I actually bought a used, confirmed un-patched Switch last year because I specifically wanted to keep the option to mod the device. So, one has to decide between mod-ability and battery life. I think most people will choose the battery life though. Still, good to keep that in mind when getting a Switch..

[@EricaGriffin]

I have no interest in hacking the Switch. I want it to operate within Nintendo’s desired parameters. I just want to choose the hardware I use. 😀

[@Maxr1998X]

@@EricaGriffin Oh, I definitely understand that. My decision for getting a hackable Switch was a very personal one: I'll have more options once the Switch is not be supported anymore. And enjoy tinkering around with software - I already tried Android on the Switch, it's pretty cool. The system runs surprisingly well, and it behaves just like a tablet - with JoyCons support. You can easily stream desktop games with Steam Link, which works surprisingly well. But the on-device firmware of my Switch is still completely untouched, as I didn't want to risk loosing access to Nintendo Online due to my serial number getting blacklisted. But I will likely look into CFW modding in the future, for features like backup and restore for savefiles or other novelties.

[@luisfernando55]

@Katz Meowski My main concern for a getting a switch it's the joycon drift, Everytime that I asked a Nintendo switch owner about this, they get warranty, after that buy a new pair of joycons and then the cycle begins again and there's no permanent fix even in the switch lite the problem continues

[@SKEEZOTHEREALSKEEZO]

Yeah Nintendo bails hard

[@ha1vorsen]

@@Maxr1998X Modding and custom firmware does not take away any online features, that's what piracy and online cheating does. They should not be mixed up.

[@ducelauj4289]

That bottle of alcohol is worth more than both your nintendo switch combined.

[@tutacat]

You can go to a store and ask if will turn the switch on, to check the display. This also works if you are buying a Switch or Display from someone in person

[@Craigytway2b]

Urg I hear ya Erica! Took me 8 pieces of toast before I got the perfect brown to it. 5 cans of coke before I found the perfect fizz. 27 Samsung TVs before I found the perfect colour temperature. The struggle is real!

[@skullkid8094]

Would love to see that in depth video I want to do this to my switch.

[@msipandaify]

Good video as always Yeah I have the same tool kit it's a great tool kit I really like the way that you slid the bit into the screwdriver letting the magnet pull it in, I think I'm going to do that from now on hahaha Very good to know that the motherboard we can just be swapped out! Thank you for your hard work Stay safe

[@jimnicholson9858]

Erica. I miss ya! One of the best phones of the year just released and your still talking about switches??? I know life balance and stuff but I miss your phone reviews so much! Be SAFE

[@EricaGriffin]

There will always be another phone... and another, and another and another and another.... so it doesn’t matter. I want to talk about things that interest me.

[@bitelaserkhalif]

This is switch version V1.5 (V2 mainboard+V1 screen) Great job

[@icebreaka1969]

I never know they have different screen on the v2 switch, i guess I will switch the screen instead. cool video, thanks.

[@sriraghavt]

Amazing that you even thought of that and went ahead and put in the work 👍. Would really help if you could post the detailed video.

[@wcoke]

Nice job Erica love the toolkit might have to invest in one 👍🏻

[@thepirateswirled]

Nice video! Idk, i'm probably wrong, but doesn't look the new v2 board maybe a bit simpler? Maybe optimising of the cost in manufacturing?

[@chiaza7735]

I'm not a Nintendo fan but I've really missed you and your videos. Nice to see you back. But I understand that personal sanity and family should always come first especially in this period of global chaos. Stay safe Erica.

[@tigerrodriguez8827]

The only problem is if you want to keep the unpatched option of freedom that you have on an unpatched version of switch if is a gamer in here reading this they will agree

[@Captain_Yossarian]

Is there a better, higher capacity battery option even from 3rd party for the launch switch without the motherboard swap?

[@-fan-6238]

I notice scanlines on the v2 screen, so yes for the swap! Thank you.

[@HandledToaster2]

So glad you're back

[@mikequinn5613]

You can play it at lower speed to see the steps better

[@ItsSamStone]

You did all this for your husband?! Bruh. Where can I find a wife like you?! Lol. Amazing work! :)

[@basedchad615]

I only want to have the v2 components in my v1 because its hard to homebrew the v2/oled

[@sebastiendolbeau1368]

Would love a step by step guide for this! Thanks a lot for going through this mod for us and your hubby haha

[@michaelhall9146]

Yes! Glad to see another video from you!

[@rolandodr98]

Hey Erica, I was wondering about your PS Vita review. I was looking for to it but don’t think I saw you upload it

[@Rebelnightwolfe]

I miss the in-depth phone reviews. At least I got Flossy Carter to fill the void.

[@randomdrifter]

Interesting Assuming that your profile on the system already post boot up due to putting having transferred the older storage module of the Switch onto the newer motherboard?

[@TheVernacrdi]

Where have you been?Really miss your detailed screen analysis videos.

[@aquario3563]

I want my switch to have the same battery life as the v2, but i dont want to swap the whole things. Can i just swap the battery, without the motherboard?

[@Owen-xh1jn]

@Erica Griffin I loved the video and wanted to know if I had to replace the mother board and the battery, or can I just change out the battery?

[@tylerfrank637]

Please do a detailed break down on this repair as well as links to buy the individual V2 components

[@jesuislajesuisla8802]

That sugar eyes at the beginning is a killer 🤘😅👍

[@Kekke466]

Hello Erica, I have a curious question for you. Are you sure that your touch screen still works fine with this upgrade mod? I too have the Animal Crossing edition switch BUT with a lazy pixel in it. I couldn't get over it and I decided to replace the LCD and digitizer myself (I did not want to risk losing it or it getting scratched). Considering all the trouble and the COVID 19 situations.... I bought an OEM digitizer and OEM LCD. The LCD is much better and works great, (I suppose it is an old one like yours) but the digitizer does not register touch in the middle. Could this be because of the new model? I read on the internet that many people that replace the digitizer lose their touch functionality. PS: I did not damage anything, I re-connected the previous digitizer (with a few tiny stress marks) and it still worked perfectly. Now I don't really know where to buy a perfect new digitizer for my ACNH switch and fix this. Could it be that the digitizer are console bound HAC-001 and HAC-001 (-01) and the only digitizers available for sale are for HAC-001...?

[@EricaGriffin]

Are you sure your parts are OEM? I am 100% sure mine are because I took them from untouched switches. Aftermarket parts look just like OEM parts, as they come from The factories producing the switches. No issues with my switches. Touch screens are fine. Jon’s updated switch is a 001 screen and digitizer with a 001-01 board. The animal crossing unit is now a 001-01 screen and digitizer with the 001 board. I also gave Jon my new 001-01 fan, SD card reader and game card reader.

[@EricaGriffin]

If I had any bet, the digitizer and LCD screen should be the same versions? I also heard someone say switching the game card slot made it not work. So either there are verifications the board makes or parts need to be of the same gen together. As mine are all truly Nintendo verified OEM that’s hard to say.

[@EricaGriffin]

Essentially, Jon’s Switch is made up of old screen components, new board with new fan, game card reader and SD card slot. I’d be curious to see if the old card reader makes the digitizer not work. I’m sure I can figure something out for the long form video.

[@EricaGriffin]

The digitizer isn’t tied to a particular board because I swapped the boards and the digitizers are fine. My swapped Animal Crossing unit is now 001-01 digitizer and screen, 001 board and 001 fan/sd card reader and game card reader. This combo of parts still has the digitizer working perfectly. So I really don’t get it. We know a combination of old board and new screen parts works.

[@Kekke466]

@@EricaGriffin Thanks for sharing that information, either the digitizer is faulty or I have been tricked in non oem digitizer. I guess, I will try to search for another seller and give it another go

[@Pinkielover]

Problem with this one as your screen is different and it's gonna affect the battery life also.. It's not just a chipset that's causing it to last longer ..

[@blahmorett]

Hi Erica! Please read my whole comment, I'll try to be as brief as I can. I loved your detailed phone reviews. Unfortunately you haven't uploaded any recently. I understand it can get boring to do so many reviews after so many years, and even can get expensive if you had to buy some phones with your own money. Also I understand you might be more into gaming lately and I respect that. I haven't found any channel with the kind of videos like the ones you used to do. I just wanted to let you know that unfortunately I just unsubscribed from your channel because I am personally not really into Nintendo stuff. I even watched all of those Nintendo videos just for nostalgia for your channel. I thought it would be good to tell you, since I think that many of your followers might be subscribed for the same reason I was, because of your amazing phone reviews. I will keep an eye from time to time on your channel anyway, and if I find videos of my interest I will be happy to subscribe again. Thanks for all your amazing content, and I wish the best for you!

[@EricaGriffin]

Thank you for your love and support! I understand. I’ve grown as a person and I’ve got to dream a little. I need to make content about other things as I was going out of my mind. I lost who I was and was horrifically depressed. For my own good I’ve had to make some changes.

[@leo_501]

@@EricaGriffin glad to see you found a way out of the hole!

[@SGTCastr0]

Would my V1 switch battery be able to swap with another V2 battery without any harm in the future ? Please let me know

[@SGTCastr0]

Please I really want to know if my switch will be ok

[@CoffeePotato]

I awkwardly had the opposite happen. Had a V1 before, was roasted in what we're going to call "what happens when the kids sneak up and jump scare you while soldering". So I bought a V2 on eBay. Turned out to have a V1 board in it. I already have my Vita for using my old roms, the Switch is my legit console, and now I have a thing with neither the battery life of the 2 or the resale value of the 1 😬. Still starting to like the thing, though. Even if it can barely survive a tired sit down with some XCOM before bed.

[@olevet75]

plot twist: the video is sponsored by nintendo..

[@TheCSDesign]

Hey Erica, how did you get the new game card reader to recognise the digitizer? I’ve tried replacing that myself and discovered that the digitizer either stops working altogether, or only partially works. Hope to get a reply, been really busting my head with that one and seeing that your husband’s digitizer is not a signed one made me question how it happened to work.

[@EricaGriffin]

I’m confused. What is the problem? When you put in a new game card reader the digitizer stopped working? I don’t see what one has to do with the other. Did you damage the digitizer cable?

[@TheCSDesign]

Erica Griffin no. It’s just like that. Happens if you change out your digitizer as well. The new digitizers have a qr from Nintendo on them and they only work with the newer versions of the card readers. I’m not sure how you got it to work but I’ve been trying to research this for a very long time. Even bought digitizers from ifixit to try different ones. Nothing worked. That V1 card reader you have there is the only type that supports the digitizers you can buy only as replacements.

[@TheCSDesign]

Erica Griffin on the ifixit forum you’ll see a lot of people asking that same question.

[@EricaGriffin]

The screen is the old screen paired with the new game card slot from the animal crossing unit. I noted in the video that I gave him all new moving parts, and the game card slot was one of them. There are no issues at all with the Switch recognizing the digitizer. My husband just checked it. What isn’t working?

[@EricaGriffin]

Link me to the forum please. I have no idea what is happening to you guys.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

What parts of the Switch Lite and Switch can be swapped? I would like to see the extent to which you could do.

[@skyellemusic9321]

I took apart my switch and my boyfriends brothers switch lite. it seems to me only the joysticks and perhaps the speakers as well between the two consoles are interchangeable. I have switch lite joysticks in my switch joycons for a pink/white aesthetic.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Skyelle Music Can you take the video card from Switch and put it into Switch Lite making it work with the dock?

[@KonvictAntar]

long time no see Erica. Eagerly waiting to see OnePlus 8/pro & some comparison stuffs on your channel. Hope you come back soon.

[@BL4KM4GiC1]

Hi Erica. Do we get the discount if you’re not in America, or is it dollars only?

[@Jimpy88]

Holly crap you must really love you husband to go through all that work for him 😂

[@UltimateMasterBroly]

I love your videos so amazing always good content I love it ❤️❤️🙏🏻

[@emilygao3992]

I love your videos!(even tho I don't have any console and I get jelly :( :) )

[@littlebrowndude3460]

Loved the video. You got a new sub

[@hartdr8074]

Do you have to replace the motherboard just to upgrade the battery?

[@UbeRDigguh]

I'd like to know too. ; w ;

[@athought1110]

Pros: better battery life and an easy fix Cons: if your a hacker you can’t homebrew it 2 it can be a task if you don’t have the right tools

[@Gatefan1565]

Yay!!! Good to see another video from you!!!!

[@reason6244]

can you try swapping the v1 motherboard to the oled switch when it comes out ?

[@drakethomas652]

I know you can only get banned from hacking your switch, but since this is increasing battery, can you get banned from this? I'm mainly asking because someone increased the device's storage and stated that you could get potentially banned by doing that.

[@maximellow5745]

Can you only buy the battery somewhere? Mine is degrading and it's annoying to only have 3-4 hours of battery life.

[@legolasdf1]

What's the point if what's actually making the battery last longer isn't the ACTUAL battery? the battery is almost the same, it's the new processor that has better power efficiency.

[@christianolaco4315]

Hi Erica! Heres my question can I use the V2 battery to the Switch lite to improve switch lite's battery?

[@stephenclark7026]

I would love to know how to do this for my switch so yes please upload a step by step!

[@worri3db3ar]

Same but with tips about the tabs and ribbons since I have like butter fingers

[@staichillin]

Where can you get a v2 broad without buying a new switch? Which is impossible now.

[@EricaGriffin]

www.ifixit.com/Store/Game-Console/Nintendo-Switch-Motherboard/IF378-010?o=1 ask iFixit if this is the updated board when they have some again.

[@TylerPKegger]

My original switch screen was soooo much better than my V2, I had to replace my v2 3 times til I got a good screen, and even this screen I stuck with has a few stuck pixels and after about 10 minutes of usage it leaves a gray shadow line in about the shape of an L for the right side of screen and it doesn’t go away until I play it or leave it for about an hour or 2, I believe the term is called uniformity. But it is slighter brighter than my original.

[@ot9523]

I got the original switch never had any problems with the screen on it had it over 3 years now

[@TylerPKegger]

@@ot9523 my original switch never had screen issues, not even a single dead pixel. V2 was a mess, had it replaced like 3 times then just settled with the current one I have, it has stuck pixel and an ugly grey shadow that appears around the edges after usage. Can’t see it during gameplay, only when the screen is gray like the charging or home screen.

[@clydefrosch]

so actually you switch the screens and backplate?

[@trowabarton7166]

Nicely done iwant that on my v1 but ist gonna cost me a lot

[@sasuke65743]

You think it would be less costly to upgrade to the oled version from V1? Also is the same to put games and saves on SD and transfer to pc and back since i don't have another Switch to transfer? Thx in advance

[@kaero2]

You should do more of these kinds of videos!

[@TheStormRogue]

Is there any software prep I'd need to do before this? Just wondering if the switch will be playable ASAP as I get it done, or if I'll have to set it up as a new switch.

[@zhouyu313]

Thanks for the video! I have a question though, if I have a game saved in my old system (not in the memory card), if I changed the board to V2, do I have to redownload it? I’m very new to all this upgrade stuff. Quite scared to brick my switch

[@bretticus117]

Yes you have to redownload it, as long as it is in the cloud you will be fine.

[@Meankeen]

Wait, you so made a v1 switch a v2 switch just to make a v1 a v2 switch? Am I missing something here or are you effectively doing....nothing?

[@danielgartin6993]

I don't feel comfortable opening up my Nintendo Switch, mine still works, the only problem is the battery life on my original controller sucks

[@joshuaotrembiak9102]

I just wanna get a better battery. Am i able to do that with just a simple battery swap with a newer v2 battery?

[@handle_unknown]

Would it be possible to swap the screen out for like a 1440p amoled or something, cuz 720p sucks?

[@stevenmonteiro7418]

This is awesome af. any tests done on the battery life?

[@zergslayer69]

Wow, so it's literally plug and play with the new processor and battery? I would've thought you'd have to create a new nintendo account or something since it's a "different" system. Guess it's all stored in the memory instead.

[@ha1vorsen]

No, it's the exact same system. She transferred the entire motherboard, not just the new processor. It's not possible to only exchange the processor. Transferring the entire motherboard is transferring the entire system.

[@thomasdavey1513]

I would love to see you mod or refurbish old or new consoles and handhelds 👌

[@amit_patel654]

With prices these days, you can probably sell the old one for $400 lol

[@plaguemarine7767]

but why? the board isnt whats saving you battery....the v2 has a better battery overall. just swap the batteries.

[@rarewrestlingfootage]

Does the original board work with oled screen?

[@CHSGJY]

where did you get the new motherboard and for how much?

[@redcrimson1028]

U need to do this with the lite, that thing has terrible battery life, it's just as bad as the original or mabye I just have a bad lite?

[@ocoe5528]

Where can I buy the V2 switch motherboard? I just want to buy the motherboard if I can. 😀

[@dvasfhbfgb]

Is this K5-Pro good for this part of cooling system? Or maybe better use something more thermal conductive like Prolimatech PK-2?

[@zouzoudevil87]

Hello, amazing vidéo and very cool project. I wanted to know if you can remove thé battery using à credit card or somthing similar 😁 and adhesive remover is alchohol right ? Thanks for the answer.

[@gamer-jm6my]

did she ever do an in depth video?

[@rudypalermo1529]

Love to see the step by step video

[@I_was_a_Bullfrog]

Please make a longer step-by-step video. May prove handy one day

[@SrirachaMilk]

can u replace just the original battery with the v2 battery?

[@beagleboy2.040]

Where would one even buy a switch motherboard or do I have to buy the new model

[@nataliestepp3321]

I’m needing a full detailed video to replace battery on mod HAC-001

[@whatitfeels.]

hey can please someone reply me can i change my battery pack for my switch HAC-001 with a HAC-003 battery pack?