I don't really use YT that often on my phone, so I can't vouch for how often it breaks, but I use FreeTube on Desktop and having a YT client that can subscribe creators without an account, can turn off all the recommended distractions, has an adblock, can play with screen off and the like is amazing.
Judging by my experience with Freetube, you do have to update it regularly since YT is actively fighting it, but so far every time I needed to watch a video on my phone, I could just update NewPipe and it worked.