Google will remove support for Chrome extensions built on the older Manifest V2 framework later this month. This change means that workarounds that kept ad blockers like uBlock Origin partially functional in Chrome will no longer work.
The update will take effect with Chrome versions 150 and 151, which are expected to be released this summer. After that, only extensions based on Manifest V3 will be compatible with Chrome.
“MV2 extensions are no longer allowed in any supported version of Chrome, and we are removing support for them and related functionality,” Google engineer Devlin Cronin told the Chromium review site.
Due to the complexity and technical debt, as well as the security risks associated with it, we will not be able to provide or maintain this functionality indefinitely.”
Why does the end of Manifest V2 support impact ad blockers like uBlock Origin?
Manifest V3 does not explicitly ban ad blockers, but it does introduce restrictions that substantially reduce the effectiveness of tools like uBlock Origin.
The framework limits the number of filtering rules an extension can apply and removes dynamic blocking, a feature that allows uBlock Origin to respond in real time to rapidly evolving ad delivery methods.
Last year, Google disabled most Manifest V2 extensions with Chrome 138, although workarounds kept some functionality available for some time. Chrome 150 and 151 releases have now permanently removed those solutions.
What uBlock Origin Users Can Do After Chrome Drops Manifest V2
Users currently relying on uBlock Origin in Chrome have a few options to consider. One option is to switch to uBlock Origin Lite, which works under Manifest V3 but has reduced capabilities.
The Lite version allows some tracking, offers a much smaller blocklist than the original, and cannot perform dynamic filtering. Alternatively, users can switch to a non-Chromium browser such as Firefox, which continues to support the Manifest V2 extension.
The uBlock Origin project recommends Firefox as the platform for full functionality in the future. Some browsers, like Opera or Microsoft Edge, have also indicated that they will continue to support the V2 extension for now.
Opera last said it would stop allowing new uploads of V2 extensions and block downloads of older, less-used extensions.
Finally, users can choose Brave, which includes built-in ad and tracker blocking through Brave Shields and does not rely on third-party v2 extensions.
What does V3 mean when it comes to Firefox status and moving forward
Firefox V3 continues to support manifest V2 with extensions, and Mozilla has stated that it has no current plans to remove V2 support.
uBlock Origin developer Raymond Hill explained that Firefox provides the best experience for users who want full uBlock Origin functionality.
In an interview with PCMag, Mozilla’s new Firefox chief, Ajit Verma, emphasized that Firefox is independent from Google’s Chromium engine.
Firefox uses Mozilla’s own Gecko engine, while most major browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave, are built on Chromium.
The transition to manifest V3 took several years, with Google gradually phasing out V2 features over time. The final updates to Chrome 150 and 151 mark the end of that process and bring Chrome in line with the more strict extension architecture that Google has promoted for years.
For users who want a browser-based ad blocker without relying on extensions, options include switching browsers, using built-in features like Brave Shields, or installing a system-wide ad blocker like Pi-Hole or NextDNS at the network level.
The Chromium standard is also affecting other major browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera. While some have indicated that they may temporarily support V2, the overall trend points towards the adoption of manifest V3 in the Chromium ecosystem.
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