Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

30

Time Required

                          45 minutes - 2 hours

Sections

4

  • Google Stadia Controller Opening Procedure
  • 13 steps
  • Front Assembly
  • 3 steps
  • Motherboard Assembly
  • 10 steps
  • Motherboard
  • 4 steps

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Introduction

A completely removed motherboard simplifies desoldering parts like the headphone jack, the USB-C port, or the joysticks.

Although you don’t need special tools to open the Google Stadia controller, the opening process is difficult and requires a lot of force. The case of the controller is held together by super tight plastic clamps which require a tool solid enough to withstand the pressure it takes to pry them open. Take your time and try not to get frustrated during the opening procedure—otherwise you’re likely to scratch or otherwise damage your controller.

What you need

Step 1

              Loosen the screw cover adhesive
  • Apply a heated iOpener to the rear side of the Stadia controller where the screw cover is located to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

Apply a heated iOpener to the rear side of the Stadia controller where the screw cover is located to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

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Step 2

              Insert an opening pick
  • Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap between the plastic screw cover and the rear case of the controller.

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap between the plastic screw cover and the rear case of the controller.

Step 3

              Remove the screw cover
  • Slide the opening pick along the screw cover to slice the adhesive.
  • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the screw cover.
  • You might want to replace the screw cover adhesive during reassembly. Apply a bit of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on the rear cover of the controller before installing new adhesive.

Slide the opening pick along the screw cover to slice the adhesive.

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the screw cover.

You might want to replace the screw cover adhesive during reassembly. Apply a bit of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on the rear cover of the controller before installing new adhesive.

Step 4

              Unfasten the rear case screw
  • Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the 9.6 mm-long screw securing the rear case.

Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the 9.6 mm-long screw securing the rear case.

Step 5

              Disassembly information
  • The front cover assembly of the Stadia controller is held in place by various tight plastic clamps. They are very hard to open and snap back in place easily.
  • The opening procedure requires some force, however, try to avoid damaging your controller case along the way.

The front cover assembly of the Stadia controller is held in place by various tight plastic clamps. They are very hard to open and snap back in place easily.

The opening procedure requires some force, however, try to avoid damaging your controller case along the way.

Step 6

              Pry open the stadia controller
  • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the left controller handle.
  • To make sure you insert the Jimmy at the correct position where the clamps are located, you can use this photo.
  • Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp. You should hear a clack noise once the clamp pops open.
  • Once the clamp is completely open, the gap between the two controller covers should be about 2-3 mm wide.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the left controller handle.

To make sure you insert the Jimmy at the correct position where the clamps are located, you can use this photo.

Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp. You should hear a clack noise once the clamp pops open.

Once the clamp is completely open, the gap between the two controller covers should be about 2-3 mm wide.

Step 7

              Insert an opening pick
  • Insert an opening pick in a steep angle into the gap you created to prevent the first clamp from popping back into its closed position.

Insert an opening pick in a steep angle into the gap you created to prevent the first clamp from popping back into its closed position.

Step 8

              Pry open the Stadia controller
  • To make sure you insert the Jimmy at the correct position where the clamps are located, you can use this photo.
  • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the outside of the left bottom end of the controller handle.
  • Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the left controller handle.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the outside of the left bottom end of the controller handle.

Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the left controller handle.

Step 9

  • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly between the left shoulder button and the charging port at the top edge of the Stadia controller.
  • Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp. You should hear a clack noise once the clamp pops open.
  • Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp between the right shoulder button and the charging port.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly between the left shoulder button and the charging port at the top edge of the Stadia controller.

Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp between the right shoulder button and the charging port.

Step 10

  • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the right edge of the right controller handle.
  • Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the right controller handle.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the right edge of the right controller handle.

Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the right controller handle.

Step 11

  • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the right controller handle.
  • Repeat the previous opening procedure to open plastic clamps at the inside of the left controller handle.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the right controller handle.

Repeat the previous opening procedure to open plastic clamps at the inside of the left controller handle.

Step 12

  • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the bottom edge of the Stadia controller right to the headphone jack.
  • Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp.
  • Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp left to the headphone jack.
  • Do not try to remove the front cover assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the rear cover assembly.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the bottom edge of the Stadia controller right to the headphone jack.

Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp.

Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp left to the headphone jack.

Do not try to remove the front cover assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the rear cover assembly.

Step 13

              Unfold the front cover assembly
  • Avoid straining the front cover assembly cable during this step.
  • Carefully lift the front cover assembly and fold it to the left side of the Google Stadia controller.

Avoid straining the front cover assembly cable during this step.

Carefully lift the front cover assembly and fold it to the left side of the Google Stadia controller.

Step 14

              Remove the adhesive tape
  • Use a pair of tweezers to peel the clear protective tape off the ZIF connector on the left side of the rear case.

Use a pair of tweezers to peel the clear protective tape off the ZIF connector on the left side of the rear case.

Step 15

              Open the ZIF connector
  • Use the pointed end of a spudger to open the ZIF connector holding the button contact board cable in place.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to open the ZIF connector holding the button contact board cable in place.

Step 16

              Disconnect the flex cable
  • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully disconnect the flex cable of the button unit by pulling it out of the ZIF connector in a flat angle.
  • Separate the front from the rear assembly.
  • Remove the thumbsticks by pulling them straight upwards for an easier handling in case you want to do further disassembly.

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully disconnect the flex cable of the button unit by pulling it out of the ZIF connector in a flat angle.

Separate the front from the rear assembly.

Remove the thumbsticks by pulling them straight upwards for an easier handling in case you want to do further disassembly.

Step 17

              Unfasten the screws
  • Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the seven 9.6 mm-long screws securing the motherboard assembly.

Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the seven 9.6 mm-long screws securing the motherboard assembly.

Step 18

              Pry up the motherboard assembly
  • The motherboard assembly is held in place at four points in the controller’s rear cover.
  • Make sure to use the long and not the curved edge of the Jimmy during the following prying procedure.
  • Insert a Jimmy next to the right shoulder button and black plastic clamp of the motherboard assembly.
  • Align the long edge of the Jimmy with the corner of the black plastic clamp.
  • Pry up the motherboard assembly by tilting the Jimmy downwards to open the plastic clamp.

The motherboard assembly is held in place at four points in the controller’s rear cover.

Make sure to use the long and not the curved edge of the Jimmy during the following prying procedure.

Insert a Jimmy next to the right shoulder button and black plastic clamp of the motherboard assembly.

Align the long edge of the Jimmy with the corner of the black plastic clamp.

Pry up the motherboard assembly by tilting the Jimmy downwards to open the plastic clamp.

Step 19

  • Insert a Jimmy next to the left shoulder button and black plastic clamp of the motherboard assembly.
  • Align the long edge of the Jimmy with the corner of the black plastic clamp.
  • Pry up the motherboard assembly by tilting the Jimmy downwards to open the plastic clamp.

Insert a Jimmy next to the left shoulder button and black plastic clamp of the motherboard assembly.

Step 20

  • Insert a Jimmy at the top edge of the Google Stadia controller just above the charging port.
  • Pry up the top edge of the motherboard assembly by tilting the Jimmy downwards.
  • The charging port is clamped into an opening in the rear cover of the stadia controller. Make sure the charging port is not stuck in its recess during the prying procedure.
  • During reassembly make sure the charging port snaps back into its recess.

Insert a Jimmy at the top edge of the Google Stadia controller just above the charging port.

Pry up the top edge of the motherboard assembly by tilting the Jimmy downwards.

The charging port is clamped into an opening in the rear cover of the stadia controller. Make sure the charging port is not stuck in its recess during the prying procedure.

During reassembly make sure the charging port snaps back into its recess.

Step 21

              Insert an opening pick
  • Insert an opening pick at the top edge of the Stadia controller to prevent the charging port from snapping back into place.

Insert an opening pick at the top edge of the Stadia controller to prevent the charging port from snapping back into place.

Step 22

              Warning
  • In the following step you’ll free the headphone jack from its recess in the controller housing:
  • Avoid prying onto the black plastic cover during the following procedure.
  • Pry at the edge of the motherboard instead.

In the following step you’ll free the headphone jack from its recess in the controller housing:

Avoid prying onto the black plastic cover during the following procedure.

Pry at the edge of the motherboard instead.

Step 23

              Insert a Jimmy
  • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the rear cover and the motherboard left of the headphone jack.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the rear cover and the motherboard left of the headphone jack.

Step 24

              Pry up the motherboard assembly
  • Pry up the motherboard assembly by tilting the Jimmy downwards.
  • The headphone jack is clamped into an opening in the rear cover of the controller. Make sure the headphone jack is not stuck in its recess during the prying procedure.
  • During reassembly make sure the headphone jack snaps back into its recess.
  • Do not try to remove the motherboard assembly all the way yet. It is still connected to the rear cover by the battery cable.

Pry up the motherboard assembly by tilting the Jimmy downwards.

The headphone jack is clamped into an opening in the rear cover of the controller. Make sure the headphone jack is not stuck in its recess during the prying procedure.

During reassembly make sure the headphone jack snaps back into its recess.

Do not try to remove the motherboard assembly all the way yet. It is still connected to the rear cover by the battery cable.

Step 25

              Lift the motherboard assembly
  • Carefully lift the left edge of the motherboard assembly in order to access the battery connector.

Carefully lift the left edge of the motherboard assembly in order to access the battery connector.

Step 26

              Separate the motherboard assembly
  • Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard.
  • Separate the rear cover from the motherboard assembly.

Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard.

Separate the rear cover from the motherboard assembly.

Step 27

              Unfasten the screw
  • Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the single 6.1 mm-long screw securing the motherboard.

Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the single 6.1 mm-long screw securing the motherboard.

Step 28

              Free the motherboard clamps
  • The motherboard is held onto the midframe by two tight plastic clamps which require a lot of force to press together.
  • Use a pair of tweezers to press both sides of the plastic clamp beneath the right trigger button together.
  • Slide the motherboard over the closed clamp.

The motherboard is held onto the midframe by two tight plastic clamps which require a lot of force to press together.

Use a pair of tweezers to press both sides of the plastic clamp beneath the right trigger button together.

Slide the motherboard over the closed clamp.

Step 29

  • Use a pair of tweezers to press both sides of the plastic clamp beneath the left trigger button together.
  • Slide the motherboard over the closed clamp.

Use a pair of tweezers to press both sides of the plastic clamp beneath the left trigger button together.

Step 30

              Remove the motherboard
  • Remove the motherboard.

Remove the motherboard.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

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Author

                    Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 11/23/2016

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