An Adelaide teenager accused of carrying a pipe bomb on a public bus has admitted to taking steps to manufacture an explosive but denies he endangered any lives.

Key points: The 16-year-old was charged with nine offences including endangering life

The 16-year-old was charged with nine offences including endangering life He denied that charge but pleaded guilty to others including possessing an explosive substance

He denied that charge but pleaded guilty to others including possessing an explosive substance Police previously alleged they found other devices where the boy was living

The 16-year-old from the southern suburbs was arrested on March 5 and charged with nine offences.

He has pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Youth Court to three charges including taking steps to manufacture an explosive and possessing an explosive substance without lawful excuse.

However, the court heard he will contest a charge of endangering life.

At a previous court hearing, a blanket suppression order was imposed preventing any reporting of the allegations.

But Magistrate Luke Davis later partially overturned that to allow some reporting of the allegations, conceding that there was "legitimate public interest" in the case.

The court previously heard the explosive device was a pipe bomb which was in "working order".

In a statement released in March, police alleged that CCTV footage showed the teen on a bus in possession of an explosive device.

Police said he did not activate the device and no-one was harmed.

It is alleged police found other devices during a search of where the boy was living.

The teenager has been remanded in custody to face court again in May.