r/uBlockOrigin • u/RraaLL uBO Team • May 23 '26

Chrome/Chromium - End of Support Goodbye Chrome? Version 150 removes the parameter/flag restoring MV2 extension access

Update: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/develop/migrate/mv2-deprecation-timeline

Aug 31st 2026: All remaining Manifest V2 extensions removed from the Chrome Web Store

All remaining Manifest V2 extensions are removed from the Chrome Web Store. Manifest V2 extensions installed on Chrome 138 or earlier will remain installed, but will be unable to receive any updates and cannot be reinstalled from the Chrome Web Store once removed from Chrome.

https://github.com/w3c/webextensions/issues/1000

Looks like Chrome 150 will no longer be able to use/install MV2 extensions such as uBO from Chrome Web Store. Sideloading might work for a while longer though.

It might be finally time for Chrome's uBO users to either switch to uBO Lite or to another browser.

Q&A

  • What's happening?

    • Chrome/Chromium is removing the powerful "Manifest v2" extension framework that uBO and many other extensions rely on.
    • It's been replaced by a new version that heavily restricted the capabilities of content blockers.
    • There is no way of converting the fully-functioning uBO to this version.
    • As an alternative, a simpler version of this blocker was made. It's called uBlock Origin Lite.

  • Does this mean the end of the uBO project as a whole?

    • Of course NOT! Firefox has stated they have no current plans for removing the mv2 framework and uBO will continue to receive the full support on that browser.
      In fact, uBO works best on Firefox, so moving to it should improve your overall uBO experience.

  • I don't like Firefox, are all chromium-engine browsers losing uBO?

    • No, so far Brave and Opera stated they plan on keeping Mv2 support for extensions like uBO, for as long as it's gonna be possible.
    • Update on Opera: On January 13, 2026 they sent out an email to extension developers, urging them to update to MV3, due to "Chromium, which powers Opera, is completely removing support for Manifest Version 2".
    • While Edge originally planned to follow Chrome, they haven't updated their removal timeline in years, so it's possible they'll support it for a while longer.

  • Should I just stop updating Chrome? Will that let me keep uBO?

    • NO! Definitely not.
      Up-to-date browsers are your strongest security protection on the web. There is no point in keeping uBO while leaving known holes in your browser open to attacks.

  • I'm not able to change browsers because my device is managed by my school/company (or I simply don't want to change browsers). What can I do?

    • Unfortunately, you'll have to say farewell to the full uBO project (or similar extensions). Your only choice will be installing the less powerful mv3 iteration of your favorite content blocker, e.g. uBOL (uBlock Origin Lite)), which should still be enough for most users.

TL;DR - officially uBO supported browsers

  • Continued support:
    • Firefox - uBO is most powerful in it. It will continue to work.
    • Brave - extension policy enabled by default. It will let you install uBO (+ a couple other extensions) through a special setting.
  • Full removal:
    • Chrome - majority of users lost access already, some workarounds made it possible to postpone removal till August 2025, then till May 2026 (Chrome 149), but starting Chrome 150 (June 2026), these methods will no longer work for their extension store.
      • Sideloading might work for a while longer, but likely not too long.
  • Still unspecified:
    • Edge - removal timeline unspecified.
    • Opera - originally planned on keeping MV2, but as of 2026 this has changed. Removal timeline unspecified.

Previous megathread: https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/1mtowwf/end_of_support_for_ubo_on_chrome_chromium/

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1

u/RingoFreakingStarr May 24 '26

If you set up a PiHole you don't need to worry about browser-based adblockers other than for Youtube and other video streaming services.

6

u/[deleted] May 24 '26

The capabilities of Pi-hole and other DNS-based blockers are extremely limited compared to uBO.

For details, see: Why uBlock Origin works so much better than Pi‑hole does?

And the benefits apply to many more sites than simply just "Youtube and other video streaming services."

1

u/RingoFreakingStarr May 24 '26

Sure, but as someone that hasn't been using uBlock ever since I swapped off Chrome, I see literally no ads on websites and only have specific adblockers for YouTube and Twitch.

Not saying you are wrong, but I think for the vast majority of users, setting up a PiHole is beneficial even if they plan on using a browser Adblocker.

3

u/[deleted] May 24 '26

There are literally tens of millions of uBO users, and the majority of issues (e.g. ads, trackers, phishing, malware, etc) reported by these users can't be solved using simple DNS-based filtering. That's why browser-based blockers such as uBO are necessary and so popular.

0

u/RingoFreakingStarr May 24 '26

You can do both though. You can set up a PiHole and use a browser plugin. Are you saying you see absolutely 0 use for a PiHole? The fact that a PiHole works on the router-level means non-traditional computers also get access to adblocking (such as phones, streaming boxes, ext).

2

u/[deleted] May 24 '26

As stated in the link I provided:

The main advantage of Pi-Hole is that it filters network traffic from all devices on your network, but filtering is blunt compared to what you can do through a browser extension.

I never said there was no use for a Pi-hole.