I suspect I echo the thoughts of many users, but to me, RIF really was reddit. It was an app I downloaded from a friend's recommendation in probably 2013, and is usually the first install whenever ri switch phones, also boasting pride of place right below where my thumb naturally rests on my home screen.
I have never had an issue with the app, and have always loved it's appearance and usability. Everyone that worked on it did a fantastic job, and I will miss it.
I echo these exact thought, except it was sync for me. Without question the most used app, always first to be installed a new phone, and had the designated spot on the home screen.
My experience is nearly identical. I only ever used RIF, I did have the official app installed just incase I got an IM, but almost never, ever used it.
When all this started to go down a month ago, I gave using the official app a shot, tried it a few times, but every time I would just get more and more frustrated.
Jerboa is filling that hole for me at the moment. But truthfully I am hoping to develop better habits to spend my time.