It’s unfortunate that you’ve had a tough experience with the CABLE. My experience has been different. You do need an iOS device to set up the CABLE initially, and to perform periodic firmware updates as they are released. But once the setup is done, you don’t need to use the CABLE Config app each time you ride.
The initial setup involves scanning for your ANT+ sensors, selecting the sensors, then saving the settings to the CABLE.
When pairing devices in Zwift, just choose the CABLE for whichever sensors it is bridging (HRM, cadence, footpod, whatever). Zwift will remember these settings, so all you have to do for future rides is start Zwift, wake up your sensors, tap the CABLE to wake it up, and enjoy the ride.
The device should ship with instructions, and I think the instructions on the NPE website were made more prominent with the CABLE site redesign a few months ago.
http://npe-inc.com/cableinfo/2017/08/08/comprehensive-setup-guide/