GoKawiilChrome's Manifest V3 shift kills old ad blockers; four alternatives still work
Google has fully retired Manifest V2 extension support in Chrome, closing the workarounds that let power-user ad blockers like uBlock Origin keep functioning. Google frames the move as a security and maintenance improvement, though critics see it as tightening control over what extensions can do. Users left without full ad-blocking now have a handful of options, including uBlock Lite, other Manifest V3-compliant extensions, switching browsers, or running external tools like AdGuard.
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This marks the end of an era for granular, aggressive ad and tracker blocking inside Chrome, pushing privacy-conscious users toward alternative browsers or standalone apps. Because Chrome still dominates global browser share, the change effectively weakens ad-blocking capability for a huge portion of internet users, with ripple effects for publishers, advertisers, and security-focused users alike.
- Chrome has completely phased out Manifest V2, breaking extensions like uBlock Origin.
- Remaining options include uBlock Lite, browser switches to Firefox or Brave, or external apps like AdGuard.
- AdGuard offers system-wide ad and tracker blocking outside the browser, with paid tiers for multi-device use.
Raspberry Pi 5 (Pi-hole DNS server) — If Chrome's Manifest V3 crackdown killed your favorite extension, move ad-blocking off the browser entirely: a Raspberry Pi 5 makes a great always-on Pi-hole box that filters ads network-wide via DNS. One tiny computer covers every device on your Wi-Fi, no extension required. Starter kits bundle the power supply, case, and storage so you can get it running the same day.
See Raspberry Pi 5 (Pi-hole DNS server) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “Chrome’s new rules ruined ad blockers. Here are 4 things that still work”
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