How to set up FindFirst
Ten minutes from install to your first alert. This guide covers everything, including how hide words work.
1. Install the app
- On your Android phone, open www.findfirst.app/download. The app file downloads in a few seconds.
- Open the downloaded file. If Android asks, allow your browser to install apps, then tap Install. FindFirst needs Android 8 or newer.
- Open FindFirst and enter your invite code (it looks like
ABCD-EFGH-JKLM). Tap Get started.
2. Add your first search
Tap New search on the Searches tab and fill in:
| Field | What to enter | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| What | A short name for the item, like snowblower or ps5 | Every word must appear in a listing's title, so fewer words find more. Use ps5, not playstation 5 console disc edition. |
| Where | Your town and province or state, like Guelph, Ontario | If several towns share the name, add the country. |
| Distance | How far you'll drive: 5 to 250 km | Listings are shown only when their location is inside this distance. |
| Price range | Optional minimum and maximum | A minimum price is the best way to skip accessories. A PS5 console is never $40; a controller often is. |
| Hide words | Optional words that rule a listing out | See the next section. It matters. |
Tap Start watching. The first check records what is already listed, without alerts, so you are not flooded with old listings. After that, every new match alerts you.
3. Hide words: title vs description
There are two separate boxes, because they do different jobs:
Hide if the title says
Checks the title only. Use it for things that are clearly not what you want, like game, controller, headset, case when you want a PS5 console.
Matches any part of the title, ignoring capitals and punctuation, so game also hides "games".
Hide if the description says
Checks the seller's description. Use it only for deal-breakers, like for parts, broken, trade only.
Matches whole words or phrases. If a description isn't available, the listing is not hidden.
Example. A seller lists "PS5 Console" and writes "Includes 2 controllers and 3 games" in the description. With controller, game in the title box, that console still reaches you, because the title doesn't say those words. Put the same words in the description box and you would lose it. So keep accessory words in the title box, and only true deal-breakers in the description box.
Watch out for bundles. A title like "PS5 + 2 controllers" contains "controller". If you hide controller in titles, that bundle is hidden too. To skip accessories without losing bundles, leave controller out and set a minimum price (for example $200) instead.
4. Turn on alerts (and keep them on)
- Account → Alerts → on. Allow notifications when Android asks.
- Tap Fix battery setting and choose Unrestricted (or Don't optimize) for FindFirst. Without this, some phones pause alerts while the screen is off.
- Android shows a small, silent "FindFirst live alerts" notification while alerts are on. That keeps the connection open; you can collapse it.
If your phone is offline, missed alerts are delivered when it reconnects. FindFirst also catches up about every 15 minutes in the background.
5. Reading your feed
- NEW means the seller listed it in the last 12 hours.
- Listed is when the seller posted it; Found is when FindFirst saw it.
- "about 12 km" means the distance is measured to the listing's town; otherwise it's the listing's own location.
- Tap ♡ to save a find on your phone; tap Open to see it on Facebook or Craigslist.
6. Where FindFirst looks
- Facebook Marketplace, on every plan.
- Craigslist support is in testing and not yet part of public plans. Where it's on, the app shows a Craigslist switch on each search.
- Kijiji doesn't allow automated checking, so FindFirst doesn't scan it. Each search has an Open on Kijiji button that opens the same search, newest first, in one tap.
7. Plans, priority and fair use
Your plan sets how many searches you can run and how often they're checked. Priority searches are checked more often; mark your most important ones with the ⚡ switch. Each search has a daily allowance of location checks. A very broad search (like free) can use it up, and the app will mark it Broad: add hide words or a price range so FindFirst can check every new listing again. See pricing for each plan.
8. Troubleshooting
I'm not getting any matches
Shorten the search (one or two words), widen the distance, or remove a hide word. Also check the listing would really be inside your distance.
The app says "Paused"
Checks for a source stopped (for example a data allowance was reached or a source refused requests). Your feed stays. Checking resumes automatically when it can, or the owner restarts it.
Alerts only arrive when I open the app
Set Battery to Unrestricted (step 4) and make sure Alerts is on. Some phone brands also have their own "sleeping apps" list; remove FindFirst from it.
Can FindFirst message sellers or buy for me?
No. FindFirst only finds listings. You contact the seller on Facebook or Craigslist yourself.
How do I cancel?
Contact the person who sent your invite. Your plan keeps working until the end of the month you paid for.