Delivering the bits is a part of it though. When youtube changes its api in a way that forces NewPipe to change its algorithm, they have to push out a change that forces users to update the app. This is annoying because naturally you won't find NewPipe on the app store so updating the app is tedious for users who use it. The parent's workaround fixes some or all of this nuisance, depending on how implemented
still less tedious than ads or no background play
It not being on the app store doesn't meant that there can't be low friction updates. FFUpdater, for example, is plenty convenient.