R36S Hardware Modifications

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Revision as of 06:32, 21 February 2026 by Reblist (talk | contribs) (Joystick Mods: - Added new Picture to 'Small Upgrade of Analog Sticks')
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Battery extender with 2*18650 Li-Ion

Reddit post: Battery extender with 2*18650 Li-Ion

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 :

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: My (perhaps) ultimate R36S

  • Hall-Effect Joysticks
  • Heatsink
  • Inbuilt Wi-Fi
  • Inbuilt Bluetooth
  • Silence Tactile Buttons
  • Anatomic Shoulder Buttons
  • Rumble Motor
  • Theme Modification

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

YouTube: R36S | Hall-Effect Joystick Upgrade | Tutorial


YouTube: Change / Upgrade R36S Controls: Hall Effect


Reddit: Small Upgrade of Analog Sticks

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:

Passive Cooling

Mod 1 - u/Skromnjaga

Reddit: One week with R36S. Upgrades/mods/plans.

Mod 2 - u/kingElec

Reddit: Cheap and easy heatsink mod.

Mod 3 - u/kingElec

Reddit: Heatsink mod shown.

Mod 4 - u/gendou_neoretrogamer

Reddit: I installed a M2 heatsink on my R36S chipset. Fits perfect.

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


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