The process can be a lot smoother and faster if you come prepared. You can do the most time-consuming parts before you get to the store. More importantly, you can avoid having to go back to complete the process.

I recently changed back to my original carrier after trying out a new one. (My neighborhood has awful cell reception, being blocked by a hill.) It was a case of, “I should have learned from the last time,” I didn’t, but here’s a simple rundown of steps so you can.