R36S Hardware Modifications: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:36, 20 February 2026

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More mods

Speaker replacement: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1iqovxw/fixed_the_sound/

Custom battery covers: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1hsrw3s/here_a_few_more_custom_battery_covers_flat_ones/

Heatsink and fan: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1idv41l/some_questions_about_apps_and_oc/

Battery extender with 2*18650 Li-Ion

Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1j3kb9z/battery_extender_with_218650_liion/

Cover for 2 battery 3.7V Lithium 18650 with USB-C charging module.

You need :

1 x 3.7V Lithium Battery Charger 5V 1A 2A Li-ion Lipo Battery Charging Protect

2 x Battery Shrapnel 18650 Battery Spring Positive And Negative Contact (need cut 2 spirale on negative contact)

1x JST 1.25mm PH2.0 XH2.54 2 Pin Male Plug (15cm)

File for 3D Print :

https://cults3d.com/fr/mod%C3%A8le-3d/gadget/18650-cover-for-r36s

You can use this 3500mAh battery for extend your battery at 7000mAh !

Modding and Teardown Guide

"Ultimate R36S" by Swimming-Emphasis-91

Reddit thread with lots of info and links to parts and guides: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1hj43z1/my_perhaps_ultimate_r36s/

Hall effect joysticks
Heatsink
Inbuilt Wi-Fi
Inbuilt Bluetooth
Silence tactile buttons
Anatomic shoulder buttons
Rumble motor
Theme modification

Shoulder Buttons / Noise Reduction

↪ R36S Shoulder Button Upgrade Tutorial

R36S shoulder button noise reduction (silent mod)

Epic Foam Mod for R36S

Trigger and Face Button Fix /Membranes

Solder new tactile/silent switches

What kind of tactile switches does the R36S use

D-pad and Buttons Fix / Improvement

R36S Teardown & DPAD/Button Fix

R36S D-pad: 3-minute fix challenge

R36S Disassembly Tips - Improve Buttons

Joystick Mods

R36S | Hall Effect Joystick Upgrade | Tutorial

Change / Upgrade R36S CONTROLS: Hall Effect

Small upgrade of analog sticks

CAD models and 3D printing files

Lots of different 3D models on Printables.com

R36S Reference CAD Model

R36S Shoulder Buttons

Better Buttons for R36S

Case and Clip on Screen Cover

R36S 3 in 1 Case Grip

R36S Case

Full case replacement for R36S by firezenk

Improved buttons by aggrohaze88

3D printed hand held stand by dovgro

PowerUp by 2BitePie

Free R36S D-pad collection by firezenk

Internal WiFi Mods

Wi-fi Mod

R36s Internal WiFi Mod - Detailed Description and Device Teardown

Wi-Fi module on the V21 board

Soldered Wi-Fi module on the V21 board

Rumble / Vibration Motor

Reddit: Rumble/Vibration in R36S

Reddit: Rumble motor, heatsink and wrist cord

Reddit: R35S / R36S Vibration Motor Mod

YouTube: Enable RUMBLE / VIBRATION on R36S and R35S for $1!

Internal USB UART Console Mod

In a very hacker‑friendly move, the manufacturer provided test points for the USB D⁺/D⁻ data lines of the charging port on the PCB. This allows you to add internal USB hardware that can be connected to a PC by plugging a normal USB‑A‑to‑C cable into the charging port (which will still charge the R36S at the same time). The test points are on the “bottom” side of the PCB; you have to remove the board from the case to access them.

I used this to add a USB‑UART adapter that gives convenient access to the serial console (this will, for some people/situations, be more convenient than plugging in a USB keyboard or using Wi‑Fi + SSH).

I opted for a tiny USB‑UART module from AliExpress because it’s neater, but you can also remove the USB connector of any other one. Beware that the UART side must use 3.3 V signals (not 5 V). This pulls the 3.3 V power supply from the UART test points on the R36S (note that I set the jumper on the module to 3 V input), which has the downside that the USB device only registers on the host when the R36S is powered up. If I were to do this again, I would find a point to grab the 5 V supply from the charging port instead.

Heatsink Mods

The R36S handheld can get pretty toasty during marathon gaming sessions, but a few clever cooling tricks can keep it chill. Whether you add some copper sheets, thermal pads, and extra vent holes for passive heat‑spreading or an active cooling fan, these low‑cost mods make a big difference—and your games stay smooth without the sweat.

Active Cooling

Mod 1 - u/nikonair

Reddit: R36S heatsink mod and thermal performance testing.

Tools: Performance data collector for R36S consoles

Heatsink Mod

Performance Testing

Mod 2 - u/snacktivism

Reddit: Internal Active Cooling

Parts List:

Heatsink: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001125438217.html
Fan: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009111701234.html
3D Printed Fan Duct: Metroidians

Passive Cooling

Display Changing Guide

This is a tutorial to change a broken screen. Device in the video is the R35S, but the process is almost the same for the R36S.

Misc Mods

Reddit: All white mod is coming together nicely - u/Mysterious-Still-787

Reddit: Console modded without spending a Dollar - u/Global_Guest_2183

Tape & Vinyl Mods

Reddit: The best R36S mod is black tape over the blue light - u/WWWWWWVWWWWWWWWWWWWV

Reddit: Tried my hand at a battery wrap design - u/sniper257

Cardboard Mods

Miniature Arcade Model Stand

The mod was free, but now it can only be purchased officially via etsy

Cardboard Box Grip

The mod was free, but now it can only be purchased officially via Etsy.

Safety Cord - Anbernic RG Vita

3D Printed Mods

Reddit: R36S Clear Resin Buttons

Parts List: Printables

Reddit: The PlayStation Mod

Parts List: Cults3D

Paint Jobs

Reddit: Zelda Edition - u/TeaProfessional5670

Reddit: Multiple Mods - DimensionOk3304

Reddit: R36S Customized with Gold Details - jessikarochas

Reddit: R36S Lettering Paint Tutorial - danewlo

Highlight Buttons and Slots with Marker

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