Google is changing how Chrome extensions work on the desktop and Chromebooks. While the Manifest V3 changes are billed as ways to improve safety and efficiency, the way they also limit how adblocking extensions like uBlock Origin work has drawn a lot of criticism.

For context, Google has given users plenty of warning that the end is nigh. In June 2024, the Chrome Web Store began alerting users of uBlock Origin that support was on the way out. The extension depends on the Manifest v2 architecture to work, and Google has gradually phased out support in favor of Manifest v3.

The latest Microsoft Edge Canary has automatically disabled Manifest V2 extensions such as UBlock Origin installed from Chrome Web Store

Google’s Chrome browser has initiated a gradual phase-out of extensions based on the Manifest V2 standard, directly impacting popular tools like Ublock Origin. For many loyal users, this decision is a major blow, as Ublock Origin stands as one of the most widely used and trusted tools for ad blocking and privacy protection.

Google continues its rollout of gradually disabling uBlock Origin and other Manifest V2-based extensions in the Chrome web browser as part of its efforts to push users to Manifest V3-based extensions.

Microsoft Edge will no longer support uBlock Origin. That ad blocker will stop working on Chromium browsers in the near future.

Google announced changes to its Chrome browser that signaled the end for popular extension uBlock Origin. The ad-blocker’s design put it at odds with Google’s new Manifest v3 requirements, with death as the likely outcome.