Manifest V3 rollout to remove Google extensions is being pushed

Why did Google remove your favorite extensions?

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In Manifest V2, extensions rely on an API feature called Web Request to monitor traffic as it visits websites, allowing them to block or modify selected requests while they are in transit. For example, using the Web Request API, extensions can block websites from sending requests to certain domains, such as those belonging to advertisers, ultimately blocking ads and trackers.

However, malicious actors can also abuse Web Request to create shady Chrome extensions. Google has long been concerned about malicious actors abusing the Web Request API. That's why in Manifest V3, Google moved the blocking functionality to a new API called Declarative Net Request and restricted some of the previous functionality.

For example, Google removed support for remotely hosted code, meaning extensions can only execute scripts contained in the package. This gives the company complete control over what extensions can and cannot do as they manually review packages before releasing them to the Chrome Web Store. Manifest V3 also limits the number of filtering rules an extension can have, which can hinder the effectiveness of extension blocking.

According to Google, Manifest V3 will help improve 'the security, privacy, performance, and reliability of the entire extension ecosystem.' However, if some of your favorite extensions rely on removed or restricted functionality, they may no longer work, or worse, disappear forever, when Manifest V3 is released to all users.

How to check which Chrome extensions are affected

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You can check if your extensions are affected by navigating to chrome://extensions . On this page, you'll see a list of extensions that Chrome will no longer support when Manifest V3 is released.

If one of your extensions is affected, you can hope that the developer will update the extension as soon as possible before Google's deadline. However, you can also look for alternative extensions that provide the same functionality.

Google has a handy Find Alternative button available on the chrome://extensions page for any extensions that will no longer be available if the developer doesn't provide an update before the deadline.

Alternatively, switch to another browser like Firefox, which still supports the Web Request API. Most Chrome extensions are also available on Firefox, so you probably won't miss out on much if you switch. If you're worried about losing data, don't worry too much. You can easily switch from Chrome to any other browser while keeping your bookmarks and settings intact.

Time to leave Google Chrome behind!

The Manifest V3 update has been planned since early 2024, with Google first announcing it on its Chromium Blog. Many people have switched to other browsers, like Mozilla Firefox, which still support the Web Request API and related applications.

Interestingly, a Google spokesperson told The Verge that about 93 percent of Chrome extensions are already Manifest V3 compliant. There's also a version of uBlock Origin that's Manifest V3 compliant—called uBlock Origin Lite—but it's not as powerful as the original.

Additionally, some Chromium-based browsers have stated that they will continue to support Manifest V2 apps for as long as possible. For example, Brave Browser CEO Brendan Eich tweeted about support, but that was in 2022.

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Whether Brave and other Chromium-based browsers can keep Manifest V2 extensions running remains to be seen.

Jessica Tanner

Update 28 October 2024