Are you facing these two problems with the Spinner API?

1. Your onItemSelected() callback is called immediately when you set your spinner listener.
2. There is no hint to show.

I got you cover with a quick and small footprint solution.

 

This is the end result:

Standard Spinner UI, nice hint text and full clickable area.

On Select, notice the extra item as hint:

 

    String[] items = new String[] {"Choose One", "item0", "item1", "item2", "item3"};  // set hint
    spinner.setAdapter(new ArrayAdapter<>(context, android.R.layout.simple_spinner_dropdown_item, items));
    spinner.setOnItemSelectedListener(new AdapterView.OnItemSelectedListener() {
        @Override
        public void onItemSelected(AdapterView adapterView, View view, int i, long Id) {
            if (i == 0) { // When user clicked on "Choose One" hint and the initial call.
                return;
            }
            i--;  // undo the "Choose One" hint.

            // Your business logic

            // i = 0 map to item0
            // i = 1 map to item1
            // ...

        }
        @Override
        public void onNothingSelected(AdapterView adapterView) { }
    });

 

There are two popular Stack Overthrow questions on each of this problem:

How to keep onItemSelected from firing off on a newly instantiated Spinner?

How to make an Android Spinner with initial text “Select One”?

 

Answers above include using a boolean flag or creating a new Class, but solve just one of the problem. This solution is more straightforward, easy to read & maintain, and kills two birds with one stone.