Out of the box it can play audio in the background, and now that extensions are available you can block ads as well. You don’t really need constantly updating 3rd party clients or questionable firewalls anymore if you just want usable youtube on a phone.
I just had to go check and see, but yes the app still receives google play updates. My YouTube app last updated 5 days ago according to google play. It’s listed as ‘installed by X-Plore’ (the file manager/browser app I use and installed the apk from) in Androids app manager though, instead of being listed as installed by google play.
I’ve just never received an update that’s broken the app, or it’s hacked functionality. I download and install updated vanced apks when I happen to feel like it, which is very very few and far between.
