Finder | Android Universal Points of Interest App Template

iOS and Android versions can share the same database on back4app

Please note that we cannot provide a demo APK because, unless you’re close to our location, you won’t see any point of interest nearby you so you won’t be able to test the app, that’s why we’ve prepared a nice video preview of this app for you.

20 May 2022
• upgraded to Android 12
• all libraries updated
• gradle updated
• manifest issue fixed
• location crash fixed
• map issue fixed
• loader issue fixed
• admob crash fixed
• apk updated

10 July 2020
• Compile SDk updated to 28.
• Full app change logs.
• Migrated to AndroidX.
• General bug fixes
• PSD + Documentation + app files and images uploaded. All files uploaded.

9 Aug 2019
• Fixed the back-stack issues from entire application 
• Updated Finder Screen layout by replacing list view with recycler view 
• Updated Finder Items layout using Card View and alignments
• Improved Finder details screen by applying Card View
• Add Shared Element Transitions in Recycler view to Activity for enhancement of better user experience.
• Updated 'compileSdkVersion' and  'targetSdkVersion' to 28 in build.gradle

30 April 2018
• Reaplced:
     implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services:+'
with     
    implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:15.0.0'
    implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:15.0.0'

15 April 2018
• Updated to Android Studio 3.1.1
• Removed all dependencies of play-services | left only this one in build.gradle:
     implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services:+'

11 April 2018
• Updated to Android Studio 3.1
• Updated 'compileSdkVersion' and  'targetSdkVersion' to 27 in build.gradle
• Replaced 'compile' with 'implementation' in build.gradle (Module: app)
• Updated classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.1.1' in build.gradle (Project:)

Finder is a Universal App Template for you to build your own Points of Interest app. Mostly dedicated to a city, you can easily add POI’s data directly on your Parse Dashboard on back4app.com or on adminca.com. Once you’ll create a new POI row, you will have to manually type its category, just make sure it matches the uppercase and lowercase characters of the names stored in the Categories class, otherwise, the app won’t recognize them.

Since its backend is by Parse Server, you don’t have to buy any domain/hosting, there are NO php files to upload to a web server so you’ll save some money for server side.

Finder is a native Android Studio project, Universal, super easy to customize, backend with Parse SDK hosted on

About Parse SDK and back4app

Read this article for more info about back4app and Parse SDK:

Can I host Parse Server on my own server?

Yes, although I don’t provide support for the setup process, you can read the official Guide here:

What about free support for this template?

I can offer free support for bugs encountered in the original code. Instead, if you’ve edited the code and messed something up with it, I may apply some fee to fix it either via TeamViewer or by checking your app project files directly on my computer.

How do I rename the app’s package name?

Read this tutorial to learn how to rename a package name:

Should I use the latest version of Android Studio to edit this template?

Yes, I always update my apps to the latest version of the IDE and you also should make sure you’ve updated the Android Tools to their latest version of the Android SDK manager.

How do I remove AdMob banner ads?

1. Enter the .xml files where there’s an AdView and remove its code:

       <com.google.android.gms.ads.AdView
           android:id="@+id/admobBanner" 
           android:layout_width="wrap_content" 
           android:layout_height="wrap_content" 
           ads:adSize="BANNER" 
           ads:adUnitId="@string/ADMOB_BANNER_UNIT_ID" 
           android:layout_alignParentBottom="true" 
           android:layout_centerHorizontal="true">
       </com.google.android.gms.ads.AdView>
   

2. Enter the .java files where there’s an AdRequest instance into its onCreate() method and remove its code:

           // Init AdMob banner
           AdView mAdView = (AdView) findViewById(R.id.admobBanner);
           AdRequest adRequest = new AdRequest.Builder().build();
           mAdView.loadAd(adRequest);
   

3. Lastly, remove the play-services-ads reference in the build.gradle file:

       compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:+'
   

• Android Studio 3.x – Universal – Android 5.0+
• AdMob banners
• Works with Parse SDK hosted on back{4}app
• Easily add your POI’s info and categories directly in your Parse Dashboard by using Adminca admin panel on or the dashboard on back{4}app
• PDF User Guide included
• PSD graphics included
• Easy to customize, well commented code

• Apple Mac or Windows PC with their latest OS version installed
• The latest version of Android Studio and some knowledge about its UI interface
• Photoshop or any other image editor software
• A Google Developer account to submit apps to the Play Store
• An AdMob account to generate your own banner UNIT ID
• A free account on back4app.com