Featured

Featured Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

13

Time Required

                          15 - 30 minutes            

Sections

4

  • Middle Trim
  • 5 steps
  • L1 and R1 Buttons
  • 2 steps
  • Rear Case
  • 4 steps
  • Battery
  • 2 steps

Flags

1

This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff.

  • BackDualSense Controller v1

  • Full Screen

  • Options

  • History

  • Save to Favorites

  • Download PDF

  • Edit

  • Translate

  • Get Shareable Link

  • Embed This Guide

  • Notify Me of Changes

  • Stop Notifications

Introduction

Note: This guide is for DualSense controllers with an FCC ID ending in 1. Check the back of your controller to verify your model. If yours ends in A, there will be differences in the internal design, but you can still use this guide.

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

For optimal performance, after completing this guide, calibrate your newly installed battery.

What you need

Step 1

              Unclip the right end of the middle trim               
  • Disconnect and power down your controller before you begin.
  • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-right corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

Disconnect and power down your controller before you begin.

Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-right corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

1024

Step 2

              Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim               
  • Slide the opening pick along the lower-right edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

Slide the opening pick along the lower-right edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

Step 3

              Unclip the left end of the middle trim               
  • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-left corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-left corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

Step 4

              Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim               
  • Slide the opening pick along the lower-left edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

Slide the opening pick along the lower-left edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

Step 5

              Remove the middle trim               
  • Use your fingers to lift up the bottom edge of the middle trim to release the remaining clips.
  • Lift the middle trim over the joysticks to remove it.

Use your fingers to lift up the bottom edge of the middle trim to release the remaining clips.

Lift the middle trim over the joysticks to remove it.

Step 6

              Remove the L1 button               
  • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap above the L1 button.
  • Cover the button with your thumb to prevent it from ejecting across the room.
  • Pry upward to remove the L1 button.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap above the L1 button.

Cover the button with your thumb to prevent it from ejecting across the room.

Pry upward to remove the L1 button.

Step 7

              Remove the R1 button               
  • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap above the R1 button.
  • Cover the button with your thumb to prevent it from ejecting across the room.
  • Pry upward to remove the R1 button.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap above the R1 button.

Pry upward to remove the R1 button.

Step 8

              Remove the rear case               
  • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the bottom corners of the lower case.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the bottom corners of the lower case.

Step 9

  • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.

Step 10

  • Use the pointed edge of a spudger to unclip the two clips on either side of the headset jack.

Use the pointed edge of a spudger to unclip the two clips on either side of the headset jack.

Step 11

  • Remove the rear case.

Remove the rear case.

Step 12

              Disconnect the battery               
  • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the battery from the motherboard.
  • Grip the connector, not the wires, when disconnecting.

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the battery from the motherboard.

Grip the connector, not the wires, when disconnecting.

Step 13

              Remove the battery               
  • Lift the battery straight out of the battery bracket.

Lift the battery straight out of the battery bracket.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      9 other people completed this guide.                                             

Author

                    Sam Omiotek                     

Member since: 02/25/2019

55,294 Reputation

                                      288 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       35







                                                        +32 more badges                           

Team

                       Guide Team                        

                                                  Member of Guide Team 



                    Community                     


                                            10 Members                     


                                            9,216 Guides authored                     

Anthony Ramirez - Aug 1, 2021

Reply

Is there a better battery that can be used rather than the standard battery? This controller dies so fast that I don’t bother disconnecting it ever. I’m pretty sure that’s bad, but It’s frustrating having it die midgame in my second game.

John Jevitz - Dec 20, 2021

Reply

Yes. You can purchase a 2000mah battery replacement. It’s not much of a difference, but lowering your led settings and controller vibration also works wonders for prolonging the battery life.

NoLife - Apr 2, 2022

Reply

Any chance you could figure out why the %#*@ thing won’t work USB powered with no battery? I shouldn’t have to keep replacing a battery when I don’t actually want to play wireless.

Amboy Scout - Nov 29, 2022

Reply

@NoLife

If you bridge the pins for the red and white battery wires, the controller will power on properly without a battery. This will be easiest with a soldering iron.