Google has declared its intention to phase out support for Chrome browser add-ons developed with Manifest V2, with communications to alert users starting June.
Add-ons for Chrome are structured around frameworks termed manifests, dictating their permissions and functionalities. The debut of Manifest V3 faced resistance owing to its predicted effect on ad-blocking and privacy-focused add-ons, but adjustments have been made by Google to mitigate these concerns.
Designed to bolster security and efficiency, Manifest V3’s inception stirred apprehension among content and privacy tool creators, like ad blocker developers, due to its anticipated constraints. Objecting voices on GitHub, especially from uBlock Origin’s developer, pointed out that critical operations such as dynamic and regex-based filtering might falter under Manifest V3.
The emergence of uBlock Origin Minus exemplifies the required adaptations for add-ons under Manifest V3, showcasing a compromised range of capabilities when compared with uBlock Origin’s existing Manifest V2 variant.
Significant Milestones in Google’s Discontinuation of Manifest V2 Support
Warnings will be dispatched to those using Manifest V2 add-ons in Chrome by Google, with notification displays commencing June 3rd for Chrome Beta, Dev, and Canary edition users.
Concurrently, any Manifest V2 extensions featured prominently will be stripped of this designation.
A list of add-ons facing obsolescence will be posted within Chrome’s extension management section, providing users information on the impending changes and recommending alternative solutions.
In the months ensuing, Chrome will incrementally deactivate Manifest V2 add-ons, leading to a period when users can momentarily reactivate them, before a complete discontinuation.
This cessation will initially influence versions of Chrome designed for the early adopters and ultimately extend to the mainstream version.
Enterprise clients will enjoy a one-year transitional term, with the option to invoke the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy, which—albeit available—will be retired by Google by June 2025.
Pro Tip: To find out which of your Chrome-installed add-ons depend on Manifest V2, enable the flag at chrome://flags/#extension-manifest-v2-deprecation-warning.
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