Guides/Batteries

Is It Time to Replace Your Battery?

Is your handheld’s battery life drastically reduced, or is the battery swollen and puffed up? If so, it may be time to replace it. Swollen batteries must be replaced immediately and disposed of safely, as they pose a significant safety hazard and may explode.

Follow these steps to determine if your battery needs replacing:

1. Examine the battery for signs of swelling or expansion.
2. Perform the spin test: Place the battery on a flat surface and try spinning it. If it spins easily, it may be deformed.
3. Check for visible bulges or bumps on the battery's surface.

If your battery fails any of these checks, stop using the device immediately. Follow iFixit's guide on safe battery disposal for proper disposal instructions.

Jumpstarting a Non-Responsive Battery

If your device’s charging LED flashes or turns off after a few seconds, the battery may be recoverable through a jumpstart. Note that this method is meant to be performed on DS/2DS/3DS/GBA-SP/GBA-M batteries:

1. Plug in your charger to the device.
2. Partially unplug the charger until you find the position where the orange charging LED briefly lights up. Practice finding this spot a few times to ensure consistency.
3. Rapidly plug and unplug the charger the moment the orange LED goes out. Timing is critical; reinsert the charger immediately to keep the orange LED active.
4. If the orange LED stays on, leave the device to charge fully. Check back after 5–10 minutes to ensure it is still charging.

Important Notes:

• If this method does not work after 10–20 attempts, the battery is likely no longer functional and will need to be replaced.
• If the LED turns off again during charging, you can attempt the process one more time. However, if the issue persists, replacing the battery is strongly recommended.

Battery Playtime Testing

To verify whether your battery is losing efficiency, compare its playtime against the expected durations listed below. If your battery's runtime is significantly lower, it may need replacing.

Battery Testing Tools:

• Battery Mark for 3DS

Expected Playtimes (Approximate Sino Playtime):

• 3DS: ~2h 34m 35s
• New 3DS: ~2h 28m 18s
• New 3DS XL: ~2h 30m 57s
• Other models (3DS XL, 2DS, Switch, DS): Playtime data TBD.

Recommended Replacement Batteries

For reliable and safe replacements, consider the following:

• DS/2DS/3DS/Switch Systems: Cameron Sino batteries. Available on eBay; avoid AliExpress, Amazon, or low-rated sellers to minimize the risk of counterfeit or low-quality products. Verify authenticity through Cameron Sino’s Product Verification page.
• Game Boy Systems: Funnyplaying batteries are known for their high reliability and quality.

Note: iFixit batteries are another option but have been reported to sometimes underperform in capacity or longevity, and in some cases, malfunction.

Note: There's been some reports of being able to get New OEM Batteries from Nintendo by contacting support, but it seems to limited supply and only available in certain regions.

Always purchase from reputable sellers and dispose of your old battery safely!