Chrome Users Can Continue Using Unsupported Extensions, Including UBlock Origin, Until June 2025

Chrome users who rely on extensions such as UBlock Origin, which runs on the old Manifest Version 2 and is no longer supported, can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for a while longer. Google has introduced a temporary flag aimed at developers that allows users to continue using these extensions until the Chrome 139 release in June 2025. This provides a much-needed reprieve as users adjust to the transition to Manifest V3.

Manifest V2 is the older version of the Chrome Extensions platform. Extensions using this version have a continuous background page, consuming resources even when not actively used, and can execute remotely hosted code, posing security risks.

Manifest V3 is the newest version of the Chrome Extensions platform. It brings several updates, such as using Service Workers instead of background pages, which only run when needed to save resources. Extensions must now have all their JavaScript included within the package, which makes them more secure. Also, the new Declarative Net Request API improves performance and privacy by replacing the older, slower webRequest API.

Google is discontinuing Manifest V2 in favor of Manifest V3 for reasons of performance, security, and better privacy.

The company already allows enterprises to run Manifest V2 extensions for a year using a policy called “ExtensionManifestV2Availability“.

A reprieve: Chrome Users Can Still Use Manifest V2 Extensions

Google is now introducing a flag called “Allow legacy extension manifest versions,” which allows developers to maintain their Manifest V2 extensions until June 2025.

This flag lets users load legacy (unsupported) manifest versions as unpacked extensions. Here’s the flag description:

“Allows extensions with legacy (unsupported) manifest versions to be loaded as unpacked extensions. This should only be used for maintaining legacy extensions and will be removed in the future. – Mac, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, Lacros.”

Users can continue to use their preferred Manifest V2 extensions by manually enabling this flag. However, this is a temporary solution. Once the policy supporting this flag is removed, the flag will no longer work, and users will need to transition to Manifest V3 extensions.

The temporary flag provides a reprieve for users and developers, allowing time to adjust to the new extension system. Users are encouraged to start exploring Manifest V3 alternatives on the Chrome Web Store sooner rather than later.

Apart from this, Google is trying to improve Chrome Tablet mode detection on Windows and Microsoft tries to drift users away from Chrome Web Store. Additionally, Chrome may clean up tab bar clutter with the new feature.