I kept YouTube as well, but I tend to use it more as a podcast app then a video app. I try to only listen to it when I'm doing other stuff like doing dishes or walking the dog.

That's interesting that you have problems with notifications. I'm on Android and if I turn them off they've pretty reliably stayed off. I don't even get notifications for emails. Just calls, texts, and a few important ones like my credit cards notifying me when they're used.