Tri-Wing
Drive Types · 5 specs
Direct Answer
The Tri-Wing drive (standardized under military spec MIL-P-87893 / NASM 87893) is a tamper-resistant security drive featuring three radial slotted wings surrounding a triangular center point. Originally developed for aerospace structural skins, it was adopted by Nintendo for older cartridge and console hardware -- a distinct drive from the visually different Tri-Point/Y-type screw Apple uses today, despite the two often being confused.
Source: MIL-P-87893 / NASM 87893 / Phillips Screw Company (TRI-WING) · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Original Manufacturer / Spec | Phillips Screw Company / MIL-P-87893 (US Military Aerospace Specification) |
| Drive Geometry | 3 radial wings offset from a central triangular hub (120-degree radial spacing) |
| Standard Sizing Tiers | TRI-000, TRI-00, TRI-0, TRI-1, TRI-2, TRI-3, TRI-4, TRI-5 |
| Cam-Out Tendency | Moderate (Requires steady axial alignment to prevent bit climb) |
| Primary Applications | Aerospace fuselage panels, older Nintendo cartridge/console hardware (original Game Boy, Game Boy Advance) |
Aerospace Origin vs Consumer Electronics
Invented by the Phillips Screw Company in the 1970s for commercial aviation (Boeing, Lockheed), the Tri-Wing drive allowed aircraft technicians to rapidly service exterior aerodynamic access panels without stripping. In the 1990s, Nintendo adopted miniature Tri-Wing screws for original Game Boy and Game Boy Advance cartridge shells, to deter unauthorized opening and piracy.
Not the Same Drive as Apple's 'Y-Type' (Tri-Point) Screws
Tri-Wing (three slotted wings) and Tri-Point/Y-type (three smoother, rounded points) look superficially similar and are frequently confused, but they are genuinely different drive geometries requiring different bits. Modern smartphones -- including Apple iPhones from the 7 onward -- use ultra-small Y000 Tri-Point screws to secure internal battery connector plates and display grounding shields, not Tri-Wing. Nintendo's own hardware also moved away from Tri-Wing over time, toward Tri-Point/Y-type screws on more recent consoles and controllers.