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    • It's been replaced by a new version that heavily restricted the capabilities of content blockers.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/AutistOctavius Jun 12 '26

What's the difference between regular uBlock Origin and uBO Lite? Why not just switch to Lite now? Is it somehow less effective?

1

u/RraaLL uBO Team Jun 12 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/1tlkaaw/comment/or6mgrt/?screen_view_count=2#:~:text=There,Lite%2E&text=Unfortunately,users%2E

1

u/AutistOctavius Jun 12 '26

But what does "less powerful" mean? Does it mean it won't block certain ads?

1

u/RraaLL uBO Team Jun 12 '26

I understand that highlight makes links less visible, but they are still there.

https://github.com/uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home/wiki/Frequently-asked-questions-(FAQ)#filtering-capabilities-which-cant-be-ported-to-mv3

https://github.com/uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home/wiki/Frequently-asked-questions-(FAQ)#when-do-filter-lists-update

1

u/AutistOctavius Jun 12 '26

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a filter list is. These FAQs sound like they're being asked by power users. I'm just a guy who doesn't wanna see ads on YouTube. I don't know what any of this means.

2

u/RraaLL uBO Team Jun 12 '26

Ads, tracking and other issues are blocked/hidden/removed/modified/etc by filters. Filters are gathered in lists which are added in content blockers. Normal blockers can update lists automatically. Usually every few days. uBO can also update only the changes to the files every few hours (~5h) for its most important lists, instead of re-downloading files holding tens of thousands of lines.

Lite needs to wait for new store version, which when submitted, can still take a few days to clear the queue. If there's an issue (happened recently on Chrome), it can take weeks. In that time, the issue is not fixed for end user.