Chrome 150 kills uBlock Origin: your options now

Key Takeaways

• Chrome 150, due June 30, will fully disable Manifest V2 extensions including uBlock Origin
• The Manifest V3 framework limits ad blockers to weaker filtering rules by design
• Firefox and Brave remain the best alternatives for users who rely on full-strength ad blocking

If your Chrome ad blocker stops working in the coming weeks, you're not imagining things. Google is flipping the kill switch on Manifest V2 extensions with Chrome 150, expected June 30, and Chrome 151 in July. That means uBlock Origin and similar full-strength ad blockers will stop functioning entirely. No more workarounds.

This has been coming since 2019. Google's transition to Manifest V3 was billed as a security improvement, but it also guts the Web Request API that ad blockers depend on to intercept and block traffic. The replacement, declarativeNetRequest, caps the number and complexity of filtering rules an extension can use. For users who've relied on uBlock Origin to strip ads, trackers, and malicious scripts, the new framework is a downgrade by design.

Why is Google killing ad blockers on Chrome?

Google frames Manifest V3 as a privacy and security upgrade. Extensions under the new framework have less access to raw network requests, which theoretically limits what malicious extensions can do. That's a real concern. Poorly vetted extensions have caused data breaches.

But the change also protects Google's core business. The company made $238 billion in ad revenue in 2023. Chrome holds roughly 65% of the desktop browser market. An effective ad blocker running on Chrome costs Google money every time it fires. The Manifest V3 restrictions don't just limit bad actors. They limit any extension that wants to filter content aggressively.

The community response has been predictably hostile. On Reddit's r/privacy and r/technology, and on Hacker News, users describe the move as "anti-user" and accuse Google of using security as cover for protecting ad revenue. Many have announced permanent migrations to Firefox or Brave.

What happens to uBlock Origin?

Raymond Hill, who created uBlock Origin, has released uBlock Origin Lite, a Manifest V3 compliant version. It works, but with limitations. The declarativeNetRequest API caps filtering rules and prevents certain dynamic blocking techniques. If you're used to uBlock Origin catching everything, the Lite version will feel like a step backward.

Other MV3-compliant options include AdBlock, AdBlock Plus, AdGuard, and Ghostery. None of them match the filtering power of uBlock Origin under the old framework. You'll need to test them to see which works best for your browsing habits.

Do other Chromium browsers have the same problem?

Microsoft Edge and Opera both run on the Chromium engine, so they face the same technical constraints. Edge is expected to follow Chrome's timeline. Opera has been more cautious. A company representative told Neowin that Opera intends to support MV2 extensions "as long as it's technically reasonable," with potential future phase-outs for less popular extensions.

That's not a guarantee. "Technically reasonable" gives Opera cover to drop support whenever the maintenance burden gets too high. If you're on Opera for the ad blocking, keep an eye on their announcements.

What are the best Chrome alternatives for ad blocking?

Firefox is the obvious choice. It uses its own Gecko engine, not Chromium, and Mozilla has committed to supporting extensions that block content. uBlock Origin works at full strength on Firefox. The browser has its own quirks, including occasional site compatibility issues, but for privacy-focused users it's the most capable option.

Brave builds ad blocking directly into the browser. You don't need an extension. The blocking is aggressive by default, and Brave includes additional privacy features like tracker blocking and fingerprint randomization. DuckDuckGo's browser is another solid option, though it's more limited on desktop.

• Firefox: Full uBlock Origin support, independent engine, strong privacy defaults
• Brave: Built-in ad blocker, no extension needed, Chromium-based but with blocking intact
• DuckDuckGo: Simple privacy-first browser, better on mobile than desktop

Should you switch browsers?

That depends on how much you rely on ad blocking. If you tolerate some ads and use an ad blocker mainly to catch malicious scripts, uBlock Origin Lite or AdGuard might be enough. If you expect a clean, ad-free web, you'll need to leave Chrome.

One consideration: ad blockers aren't perfect privacy tools. They can introduce their own tracking. Some free ad blockers have been caught selling browsing data. If you switch extensions or browsers, check what data they collect and who they share it with.

There's also the revenue question. Ad blockers cut income for independent creators, news sites, and anyone who relies on display advertising. If you support specific sites, consider allowlisting them or subscribing directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Chrome disable uBlock Origin?

Chrome 150 is expected June 30, 2025, with Chrome 151 following in July. Both updates finalize the Manifest V3 transition and disable remaining MV2 extensions.

Will uBlock Origin Lite work as well as the original?

No. The Lite version uses the restricted declarativeNetRequest API, which limits filtering rules and blocks fewer ads and trackers than the original.

Does Firefox still support full ad blockers?

Yes. Firefox uses its own engine and has committed to supporting extensions like uBlock Origin without the Manifest V3 restrictions.

Is Brave better than Chrome for ad blocking?

For ad blocking specifically, yes. Brave has a built-in blocker that doesn't rely on extensions and isn't affected by Google's policy changes.

Will Microsoft Edge also disable ad blockers?

Edge runs on Chromium, so it's expected to follow Chrome's Manifest V3 timeline. Opera has said it will support MV2 longer, but hasn't committed to a specific date.

Source: Lifehacker