The Xbox One S opens by prying its clipped plastic shell apart, then unscrewing the metal chassis with TR8 and TR10 security Torx drivers.
No screws hold the outer shell on — plastic clips do, and they are the only part of the job that punishes a rushed hand. Anyone learning how to open and disassemble an Xbox One S should treat the enclosure as the risky stage and everything beneath it as ordinary screw work. iFixit documents the sequence for the disc model and for the All-Digital Edition, Model 1681.
The order below follows that documentation, with the model splits called out where they land and the two spots where the console bites back.
What Tools Do You Need To Open An Xbox One S?
A plastic opening tool, a spudger, tweezers, and TR8 and TR10 security Torx drivers cover the whole teardown. iFixit also lists a complete Xbox toolkit for anyone who would rather buy one kit than five separate bits.
The security pin at the center of each Torx screw is the detail people miss — a standard bit will not seat on it.
| Tool | Where It’S Used | What To Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic opening tool | Prying the upper and lower plastic covers apart at the seam | Clips bend or break; the force needed is higher than expected |
| Spudger | Lifting connectors and separating small assemblies | Push straight out, never sideways |
| Tweezers | Gripping small screws and connector tabs | Most useful once the board is exposed |
| TR8 security Torx driver | Chassis and internal screws on the standard model | A plain Torx bit will not clear the center pin |
| TR10 security Torx driver | Enclosure screws, including the six 50 mm green F1–F6 screws | The F1–F6 group applies to the All-Digital Edition |
| Torx T8, T9, T10 drivers | All-Digital Edition power-supply screw groups | Sizes differ per group; match, don’t force |
| Small flat-head screwdriver | Light prying and connector release | Keep it away from the power-supply board |
Opening The Xbox One S: Clips First, Screws Second
The plastic shell comes off first, because every internal screw hides beneath it. Work the opening tool around the seam until each security clip releases, separate the shell from the metal chassis, then switch to Torx.
- Unplug everything. Remove the AC cable and all accessories before you touch the case; iFixit states this outright.
- Release the clips. Push the riveted edge of a plastic opening tool into the seam between the upper and lower covers, press down until a clip lets go, then move around the enclosure and repeat. Expect steady force — clips bend under a rushed pry.
- Lift the shell off the chassis.
- Slide the metal shielding off. Remove the front and chassis screws with the matching security Torx driver. Screw counts change with the model and with the part you’re chasing.
- Pull only the modules you need. Documented parts include the hard drive, optical drive on disc models, fan, heatsink, internal power supply, Wi-Fi board, IR blaster, front daughterboard, and motherboard. Pull connectors straight out — the IR blaster connector is fragile.
- Reassemble in reverse. iFixit writes every procedure with reverse-order reassembly.
The full documented procedure lives in iFixit’s Xbox One S teardown, worth having open while you work.
What Comes Loose Inside, And What Breaks
The internal power supply is the component that can hurt you. It sits behind the chassis, iFixit notes that reaching it requires full disassembly to avoid damaging other parts, and it holds charge after the console is unplugged. Keep fingers off exposed circuitry, and never open the case with the AC cable attached.
The power supply is also where the two models split hardest. The Xbox One S runs an integrated internal power supply where the original Xbox One used an external brick, which is why the All-Digital Edition power-supply guide adds Torx T8, T9, and T10 drivers to the standard bits. Those screws are grouped by size, so match the driver to the screw instead of forcing the closest fit.
Two more differences decide how far you get. The optical drive exists only on disc-equipped consoles, so disc-model guides dead-end on the All-Digital Edition, which has no drive and a different internal layout. The hard drive — the most common reason to open the console at all — is a difficult swap that needs software work after the physical install. If you’re replacing worn parts rather than just looking, the tested Xbox One S replacement parts roundup covers what fits which model.
iFixit labels its teardowns informational rather than repair guides, so open the component-specific guide before you start unscrewing that component.
Five rules cover most of the risk:
- Unplug the AC cable before the case comes apart.
- Pry the plastic shell free before removing a single screw.
- Use security Torx bits — TR8 and TR10 on the standard console, plus T8, T9, and T10 inside the All-Digital power supply.
- Never pull a connector sideways; lift it away from the board.
- Reassemble in reverse order and check every clip seated before powering on.
Common Questions
Will opening the case void the warranty?
Hard-drive replacement is the step most often tied to warranty loss, and iFixit rates that procedure difficult because it needs specialized formatting work afterward. Opening the shell to inspect or clean is a separate question with no single answer. Check your console’s coverage first, and let an active warranty decide whether you pry at all.
Can the All-Digital Edition be opened the same way?
No. The All-Digital Edition, Model 1681, follows its own enclosure procedure. It also has no optical drive, so every disc-model step stops there.
What is the hardest part of the teardown?
The plastic clips. They are not reusable fasteners, and too much force in the wrong spot deforms or cracks the shell permanently. Everything after the shell comes off is ordinary screw work. The second-hardest stage is the power supply, which needs full disassembly and retains hazardous charge.
Sources
- iFixit. “Xbox One S Teardown” Documents the clip-release, chassis, and internal component sequence used here.
- iFixit. “Xbox One S All Digital Edition Teardown” Covers the Model 1681 enclosure, the F1–F6 screw group, and the power-supply screw sizes.
- iFixit. “Xbox One S Repair Guides and Specifications” Lists the required tools and the hardware specifications referenced above.