Important Changes for uBlock Origin Users in Edge and Chrome
If you’re an uBlock Origin user on Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, it’s time to consider your options. Recently, users have reported that Google is disabling uBlock Origin and other extensions based on Manifest V2 as it transitions to the new Manifest V3 framework. Following this trend, Microsoft Edge is also starting to disable these extensions.
What’s Happening with Edge?
The latest version of Edge Canary is now disabling Manifest V2 extensions. Users receive an alert stating: “This extension is no longer supported. Microsoft Edge recommends that you remove it.” Although Edge disables these extensions automatically, there is a workaround. You can reactivate them by navigating to “Manage extension”and toggling them back on, albeit after acknowledging an additional prompt.
Understanding the Transition Timeline
The situation remains somewhat unclear. Google initiated the deprecation of Manifest V2 extensions in June 2024, providing a structured roadmap for its users. In contrast, Microsoft’s documentation still lists the status as “TBD, ”which has led many to speculate that this might be a fallout from unforeseen changes within the Chromium project. Regardless, it’s evident that Microsoft will soon eliminate MV2-based extensions, and users should stay alert for further announcements.
1/2 A message stating that some extensions have been disabled because they are no longer supported has appeared after installing the latest Edge Canary build, but I THINK this is one of those unexpected changes coming from upstream Chromium:https://t.co/NME5AvLUvg pic.twitter.com/BLWPI5onYh
— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) February 24, 2025
Current Impact on Edge Users
As of now, these changes are limited to the Canary build of Edge; neither the stable release nor the Beta/Dev Channels has been affected. Users of these versions can still enable uBlock Origin, which remains available in the Edge Add-ons store, recently refreshed with numerous updates.
Alternatives for Users
In August 2024, when Google flagged uBlock Origin as unsupported, the extension developer recommended transitioning to uBlock Origin Lite, now compatible with Manifest V3 but with certain limitations. Users who prefer not to switch to MV3-based options can consider using Firefox. Mozilla has announced intent to continue supporting Manifest V2 extensions, aligning with its principles that individuals should have control over their online experiences.
As users, the choice now lies between migrating to browsers that still support MV2 extensions or adapting to MV3-compatible ad blockers. However, not all MV2 extensions have updated versions, leaving some users with no option but to switch to Firefox or a similar browser to maintain functionality.
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