Google is beginning to remove the popular ad-blocking extension uBlock Origin from the Chrome Web Store, accelerating its adoption of Manifest V3. The shift means that Chrome users may soon face a decision: adapt to Chrome’s limited ad-blocking technology or switch to a different browser.
Reports indicate that uBlock Origin is rapidly disappearing from the Chrome Web Store, with its official page now marked as unavailable due to non-compliance with Chrome’s “best practices” for add-ons. However, some users in the EU have reported that the page is still accessible through specific platforms.
For those with uBlock Origin already installed, Chrome now warns that the extension is becoming obsolete. Google first introduced Manifest V3 in 2018, aiming to replace Manifest V2 in the Chromium project, citing improved security as the reason for the change.
Manifest V3 restricts extensions’ access to browser and web data, which significantly impacts ad blockers and other security-related add-ons. This new policy forces developers of popular extensions like uBlock Origin to retire their products from Chrome, paving the way for less powerful alternatives like uBlock Origin Lite, which comply with the new standards.
While Google acknowledged that this transition from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3 would disrupt the Chrome extension ecosystem, it remains committed to moving forward. Since June, Chrome has displayed warnings about the future inoperability of Manifest V2 extensions, signaling the start of what some call an “extension apocalypse.”
Despite this, power users can continue using uBlock Origin until June 2025, as Google has introduced an enterprise policy (ExtensionManifestV2Availability) to help ease the transition. After that, Chrome users will need to switch to Manifest V3-based ad blockers like AdGuard or similar options.
Some third-party browsers based on Chromium, such as Opera and Vivaldi, plan to continue supporting Manifest V2, although this might become increasingly difficult. Mozilla Firefox remains the preferred choice for ad-blocking enthusiasts, with uBlock developers confirming that it will support Manifest V2 for the foreseeable future.
