YouTube Revanced is the way (Android). Just disable shorts or anything else you don't like and live happily ever after.

I didn't have to change anything. Only repatch the installed app without touching the API key.

It's not permanent, I had to reapply the patch today as well after it stopped working.

Since the original app isn't updated anymore it's a matter of time before Reddit changes something so drastic that we won't be able to use it anymore. I'm happy about the timing of the release of the Sync app for Lemmy though. It's working great and way smoother than all the other apps. If RIF drops dead, I can stick with Lemmy now.