Why did Chrome disable uBlock Origin?

Google's Manifest V3 policy restricts the webRequest API that uBlock Origin uses to block content before it loads. Chrome 138 (2025) completed the MV3 sunset, disabling uBlock Origin for 40M+ users.

What is the best uBlock Origin alternative for Chrome?

uBlock Origin Lite (official MV3-compatible version), Ghostery, and AdGuard are the main alternatives. All have reduced blocking capability compared to the original due to MV3's API restrictions.

Can I still use uBlock Origin in 2025?

Yes on Firefox, Firefox forks (LibreWolf), Brave, and Microsoft Edge (which still supports MV2). Chrome and Chromium-based browsers (except Brave) no longer support it.

Does Google benefit from killing ad blockers?

Google makes most of its revenue from advertising. Critics widely note this conflict of interest, arguing MV3 is designed to limit ad blocking despite Google's official security-focused justification.

What is Manifest V3 and how does it break extensions?

Manifest V3 is Chrome's new extension platform. It replaces the webRequest API (used by ad blockers to intercept requests before loading) with a limited declarativeNetRequest API capped at 30k rules.

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Chrome Manifest V3 sunset kills uBlock Origin, stranding 40M+ users

Google Chrome's Manifest V3 rollout in 2025 (Chrome 138) disabled uBlock Origin for 40M+ users. The policy restricts the webRequest API critical for content blocking. Users face a choice: switch to Firefox/Brave or accept degraded ad blocking via uBlock Origin Lite. Google's conflict of interest (ads business) is the dominant complaint.

Score Breakdown

449

Social Proof 1 sources

About Google Chrome's 'This extension may soon no longer be supported' (2024)

3/3/2025

449

Gap Assessment

UnderservedExisting solutions leave gaps

MV3-compatible ad blockers exist (uBO Lite, Ghostery, AdGuard) but all have reduced blocking power; no MV3 solution matches original uBlock Origin capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Virality Score

449

across 0 platforms

Details

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Ecosystembrowser_extension

Sources1

Platforms0

Updated2h ago

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