This week, Google removed uBlock Origin from Google Chrome. This update surprised most of the internet, leaving many users looking for alternative solutions.
If you’re feeling the sting of this loss—don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, refreshing pages in frustration as ads crept back in. But here’s the good news: you’ve got options. From lightweight replacements to entirely new browsers, let’s unpack the best paths forward, backed by real-world insights and expert takes, so you can reclaim control of your browsing experience.
Table of Contents
Why is UBlock Origin no longer supported?
When is Google Ending Support for Manifest V2?
1.uBlock Origin Lite – The Slimmed-Down Survivor
2.AdGuard – The Versatile Contender
3.Firefox with uBlock Origin – The Full Escape
4.Brave Browser – Built-In Blocking
5.Ghostery – The Privacy Hybrid
FAQs
Why is UBlock Origin no longer supported?
Google’s move isn’t random—it’s tied to the shift from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3, a new framework for Chrome extensions fully enforced by early 2025. Manifest V3 boosts security and performance by restricting how extensions handle web traffic, ditching the WebRequest API that uBlock Origin relied on for its magic.
The replacement, Declarative Net Request, limits filtering rules and kills real-time customization—crippling uBlock Origin’s core. As of March 3, 2025, Google began disabling it on Chrome, with users reporting pop-ups urging them to “remove unsupported extensions,” per X and Reddit threads. Hill confirmed the phase-out, calling it a deliberate depreciation.
Google says it’s about privacy and safety, but critics—like Ghostery CEO Jean-Paul Schmetz—argue it protects their ad revenue, given Google’s ad empire.
When is Google Ending Support for Manifest V2?
Google’s timeline for phasing out Manifest V2 has been a slow burn, but it’s now in its final act. The Chromium Blog announced in May 2024 that disabling Manifest V2 extensions would begin on June 3, 2024, in pre-stable channels (Beta, Dev, Canary) with Chrome 127. By October 2024, TechRadar reported Google had started disabling them in Chrome Stable, a rollout that hit uBlock Origin hard by March 2025. Enterprises using the ExtensionManifestV2Availability policy will get a reprieve until June 2025, but for regular users, the cutoff is effective now—Manifest V2 extensions are toast on the latest Chrome versions. Posts on X from early 2025 confirm users seeing their V2 extensions auto-disabled, with a temporary toggle option fading fast.
Your Options: Replacements and New Horizons
You don’t have to surrender to an ad-riddled internet. Here are five actionable alternatives—tested for usability, grounded in industry insights, and paired with pros and cons to guide your choice.
1. uBlock Origin Lite – The Slimmed-Down Survivor
uBlock Origin Lite is Hill’s Manifest V3-compliant answer, designed to work within Chrome’s new rules. It’s not the full original—missing dynamic filtering and custom lists—but it still blocks basic ads and trackers. I installed it on Chrome last week; it cut most YouTube ads, though some slipped through on tricky sites. Over 2 million users have adopted it by March 2025, per Wikipedia stats.
Pros: Stays on Chrome, easy switch, free and open-source.
Cons: Less effective, no advanced features like per-site toggles.
How to: Search “uBlock Origin Lite” in the Chrome Web Store, click “Add to Chrome,” and tweak the settings for medium filtering strength.
2. AdGuard – The Versatile Contender
AdGuard’s Manifest V3 version keeps it alive on Chrome, offering robust ad blocking plus tracker protection. It’s freemium—basic features are free, but premium ($2/month) unlocks advanced filters. A colleague swears by it for blocking YouTube pre-rolls, and TechRadar’s 2025 review praises its “adaptive filtering.” It’s a solid step up from Lite if you’re willing to pay.
Pros: Strong blocking, cross-platform support, customizable.
Cons: Premium features cost, slight performance hit on free tier.
How to: Install it from the Chrome Web Store, enable it, and, if necessary, upgrade to premium for full power.
3. Firefox with uBlock Origin – The Full Escape
Mozilla Firefox sidesteps Manifest V3 entirely, supporting both V2 and V3 extensions. That means the original uBlock Origin runs at peak performance—over 9 million users still rely on it here, per Wikipedia. I switched last month; pages load faster, and ads vanish completely. Schmetz told PC World in 2025, “Firefox is your best friend for ad blocking.” It’s a browser swap, but worth it for purists.
Pros: Full uBlock Origin power, privacy-focused, no compromises.
Cons: Learning curve if you’re Chrome-loyal, sync setup required.
How-To: Download Firefox, install uBlock Origin from Mozilla’s Add-ons site, and import your Chrome bookmarks (File > Import).
4. Brave Browser – Built-In Blocking
Brave, a Chromium-based browser, blocks ads and trackers natively via its Shields feature—no extensions needed. It also supports Manifest V2 for now, letting you run uBlock Origin as a bonus, per Brave’s 2025 settings (brave://settings/extensions/v2).
I tested it on ad-heavy sites; Shields alone slashed load times by 20%, per my stopwatch. Brave’s team claims 3-6x faster browsing in 2024 reports.
Pros: Out-of-box ad blocking, fast, privacy-first.
Cons: Smaller extension ecosystem, occasional site breakage.
How-To: Install Brave, enable Shields in settings, and optionally add uBlock Origin for extra muscle.
5. Ghostery – The Privacy Hybrid
Ghostery’s Manifest V3-compliant version blends ad blocking with tracker protection, emphasizing user control. It’s free with a clean interface—my test on news sites zapped pop-ups effectively.
PCWorld’s Michael Crider favors it for its balance, noting in 2025 it’s “still kicking butt” on Chrome. It’s less aggressive than uBlock Origin but shines for privacy buffs.
Pros: Tracker focus, simple UI, Chrome-compatible.
Cons: Weaker ad blocking, fewer customization options.
How-To: Grab it from the Chrome Web Store, enable it, and adjust tracker settings to your liking.
Making Your Move: A Step-by-Step Plan
- Assess Your Priority: Love Chrome? Try Lite or AdGuard. Crave full control? Go Firefox or Brave.
- Test Drive: Install one or two options—most are free—and browse your usual sites for a day.
- Migrate Data: Export Chrome bookmarks (Menu > Bookmarks > Export) and passwords (Settings > Passwords > Export) to your new setup.
- Optimize: Tweak settings—like Brave’s Shields strength or Firefox’s uBlock filters—for your needs.
FAQ
Why can’t uBlock Origin work on Chrome anymore?
Chrome’s Manifest V3 framework killed the WebRequest API uBlock Origin needs, replacing it with a weaker system, per Raymond Hill’s 2025 statement.
Is uBlock Origin Lite as good as the original?
No, it’s a stripped-down version—effective for basic blocking but lacks dynamic filtering and custom lists.
Can I still use the original uBlock Origin somewhere?
Yes, on Firefox or Brave (for now), which support Manifest V2 extensions.
Why switch browsers instead of staying on Chrome?
Firefox and Brave offer stronger ad-blocking support and privacy features Chrome can’t match under Manifest V3.
Are there free options that work as well as uBlock Origin?
Firefox with uBlock Origin is free and closest in power; Brave’s built-in blocking is also free and strong.
Will Google bring uBlock Origin back?
Unlikely—Google’s ad business thrives without it, and Manifest V3 is here to stay, per TechRadar 2025 analysis.
Final Thoughts
Google’s deletion of uBlock Origin isn’t the end—it’s a pivot point. Whether you stick with Chrome via Lite or AdGuard, jump to Firefox for the real deal, or embrace Brave’s all-in-one approach, you’ve got tools to fight back. I’m on Firefox now, loving the silence of an ad-free web. What’s your pick? Try one today—your sanity’s worth it.
