Years ago I used NewPipe but when I wanted a little more from my app I switched the ReVanced until it started giving me more and more issues. For the past 3 months or so I've been using a cracked Youtube Premium app, but now it's dropping every video after about a minute. So what's everyone using these days to avoid all of Google's bullshit but still watch Youtube content?
Revanced is still the way to go, at least for me. Obviously there are other options, but hoops you have to jump through every time are just not worth the effort. I update my revanced instance frequently and haven't had major issues yet
Do you have homescreen ads? What's the correct install process? I've had issues the last two times I tried to use it, but it could definitely be user error.
It may be that I just don't know which APK to use? My OS installed up-to-date one says I can't use it because it's a split APK and I'm not rooted and that's beyond me. The one I just downloaded was the newest I found on APKMirror but it's failed to apply a bunch of patches and aborted during the process.
As of now, Revanced manager recommends v 18.23.35.
ApkMirror is arguably the best source to download APKs. It checks that signature matches expected one so you know package is safe and not tampered with. You need to use no DPI version for Revanced, linked correct version above
I would suggest to also go through all patches manually, I remember recommended option had some very strange suggestions at least in the past.
For Google account to work you also need microG. This is a newer version / fork of original microG. inotia00 was one of the original Vanced devs I believe.