Persistent notification was added in response to android 8+ background restrictions. You didn’t need it before.

Apps that need to be constantly alive do that to avoid being killed by the system on android devices that are not stock or pixel. Apps like tasker, accubattery, Internet speed meter, adguard all target the latest android version 12 or higher.

We are on android 14. You can not install apps targeting android 5 from the playstore today.