TL;DR
Google Chrome has started deprecating Manifest V2 extensions, effectively ending uBlock Origin bypasses. Edge and Opera are expected to follow suit. This change impacts ad blocker functionality on Chromium browsers.
Google Chrome has begun removing support for Manifest V2 extensions, which will eliminate most uBlock Origin bypasses and workarounds. This move, confirmed by Chromium developers, marks the final phase of deprecation for MV2 in Chrome, with Edge and Opera potentially following soon.
Recent updates in Chromium have led to the removal of key flags that allowed users to bypass MV2 restrictions, notably the kExtensionManifestV2Disabled flag. Chromium contributor Andrey Bershanskiy confirmed that Chrome has started removing support for MV2, citing technical difficulties, security concerns, and increasing complexity as reasons. As a result, extensions like uBlock Origin that relied on workarounds to maintain functionality will no longer operate on Chrome after version 151.
Specifically, Chromium 150 lost the ExtensionManifestV2Disabled option, and Chromium 151 will eliminate additional flags such as ExtensionManifestV2Unsupported and ExtensionManifestV2Availability. Other Chromium-based browsers, including Opera and Microsoft Edge, have already begun disabling MV2 support or have plans to do so. Opera, for example, communicated to developers last year that support for MV2 extensions would be abandoned, urging updates to MV3.
uBlock Origin developer Raymond Hill indicated that Opera has been planning to drop MV2 support, and the only Chromium browser currently supporting MV2 fully appears to be Brave, with Vivaldi also possibly maintaining support. Firefox, which supports both MV2 and MV3, remains unaffected by these changes. The shift away from MV2 signifies a significant reduction in the ability to bypass ad blocker restrictions on Chromium browsers.
Implications for Ad Blocker Functionality on Chromium Browsers
This development is significant because it marks the end of a workaround that allowed users to extend or bypass ad blocker restrictions on Chrome and similar browsers. Many users rely on uBlock Origin and similar extensions to block ads and trackers; the removal of support for MV2 and associated bypasses will likely reduce the effectiveness of these tools on Chrome and possibly other Chromium browsers. It also signals a broader move toward stricter extension policies, which could impact user privacy, security, and control over browsing experience.
For users and privacy advocates, this shift underscores the increasing limitations imposed by browser vendors on extension capabilities, potentially leading to less effective ad blocking and increased tracking. Developers of ad-blocking extensions face the challenge of adapting to MV3, which has different technical constraints and fewer bypass options.
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Final Phase of MV2 Deprecation in Chromium
The transition from Manifest V2 to MV3 has been underway for several years, with Chrome announcing plans to phase out MV2 support. The latest updates confirm that Chrome has now begun removing critical flags that allowed bypasses for MV2 extensions, with support for MV2 extensions officially ending in supported Chrome versions. Opera and Edge, both Chromium-based browsers, had previously announced plans to follow suit, with Opera explicitly urging developers to migrate to MV3. Firefox remains a key alternative for users seeking continued extension flexibility, as it supports both MV2 and MV3.
The move is part of a broader effort by browser vendors to enhance security and reduce technical debt, but it also restricts certain extension functionalities that users previously relied on for bypassing restrictions or extending extension capabilities.
“Chrome has now started removing the flags that previously controlled MV2 availability, effectively ending support for these extensions.”
— an anonymous researcher
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Extent of Support Loss in Non-Chrome Browsers
While Chrome has officially begun removing support for MV2, the exact timeline and extent of support loss in browsers like Edge and Opera remain uncertain. Opera has indicated support will end, but the precise date and technical details are still emerging. It is also unclear whether all bypass techniques will be fully disabled immediately or if some legacy workarounds will persist temporarily.
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Next Steps for Extension Developers and Users
Extension developers are advised to update their extensions to MV3 to maintain compatibility. Users should prepare for reduced ad blocker effectiveness on Chrome and Chromium browsers as support for MV2 and its bypasses ends. Browser vendors are expected to finalize their support timelines over the coming months, with Chrome’s support ending fully in the next major release cycle. Alternative browsers like Firefox remain unaffected, offering continued extension flexibility.
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Key Questions
Will uBlock Origin still work on Chrome after version 151?
It is unlikely. Chromium 151 removes the flags that enabled bypasses for MV2 extensions, which means uBlock Origin’s workarounds will no longer function on Chrome after this update.
Are Edge and Opera also removing support for MV2 extensions?
Yes. Edge has begun disabling uBlock Origin and other MV2 extensions, and Opera has indicated plans to abandon MV2 support, urging developers to migrate to MV3.
Is there an alternative browser that supports MV2 extensions?
Firefox supports both MV2 and MV3, making it a viable alternative for users who rely on MV2 extensions or bypasses.
What does this mean for users who rely on ad blockers?
Users may experience reduced effectiveness of ad blockers like uBlock Origin on Chrome and Chromium browsers as support for MV2 and associated bypasses diminishes.
When will support for MV2 extensions fully end in Chrome?
Support is expected to end with the next major Chrome release after version 151, likely within the next few months, as the final removal of support flags is completed.
Source: Hacker News
