Even if uBlock Origin Vanishes from the Web Store, You Can Still Reactivate It

Last year, Google made waves by announcing that it would phase out support for the Manifest V2 framework in favor of the updated Manifest V3, pushing users to shift to extensions compatible with the newer framework.

This decision sparked considerable debate, largely because it affected popular Chrome extensions like uBlock Origin, leaving over 30 million users more vulnerable to annoying ads. And if you’ve noticed, uBlock Origin’s support for Chrome through Manifest V2 has already been cut off. Late last month, many users reported seeing pop-up warnings when launching Chrome that uBlock Origin was no longer functional. Microsoft seems to be on a similar path with its Edge browser, planning to make the same transition soon.

Google is on a fast track to make the switch to Manifest V3-compatible extensions, removing unsupported ones from its Web Store—in uBlock Origin’s case, it’s already been done.

Although transitioning to Manifest V3 extensions seems like the way forward, Google’s warnings don’t entirely rule out the use of Manifest V2 extensions, such as uBlock Origin, just yet (according to PCGamer).

When Chrome users encounter alerts that the browser no longer supports V2 framework extensions, they face two choices: either remove the extension altogether or manage it through Chrome’s settings.

Choosing the first option removes the extension, which is likely what Google prefers. However, selecting the second option takes you to Chrome’s settings, where you can manage extensions.

Through these settings, users can reactivate uBlock Origin and confirm its continued use with the Manifest V2 setup. It’s essentially just a matter of switching the extension back on.

Now, when will Google cut ties with the Manifest V2 framework entirely?

Google clarified that the move to Manifest V3 was made to mitigate security risks, which arose from V2’s capability of allowing unreviewed code execution in extensions. With V3, extensions can only execute pre-approved JavaScript included in their package.

The timeline for Google to completely phase out V2 support for uBlock Origin is still ambiguous. Nevertheless, Google has rolled out a Manifest V3-compliant version called uBlock Origin Lite.

However, this version comes with its own set of limitations. As per uBlock Origin’s developer, Raymond Hill, the Lite version is significantly different from the original and might not serve as a straightforward replacement. Users seeking a new content blocker will need to find an alternative that matches their specific needs and expectations.

Raymond Hill stated that uBlock Origin Lite is a “pared-down version” that compromises several features to abide by the Manifest V3 rules. Although change is on the horizon, a range of other alternatives to uBlock Origin are available for users to explore.