Google Chrome is asking users of the popular ad blocker uBlock Origin to switch to other ad blockers because of an upcoming change in the way extensions work. This is because Google is moving away from the current extension system, known as Manifest v2 (MV2), to a new system called Manifest v3 (MV3).

According to a report by Bleeping Computer, Raymond Hill, who created and maintains uBlock Origin, explained that uBlock Origin currently works with the old system (Manifest v2) that Google is removing. Due to this change, Chrome will show a warning suggesting users to switch to other ad blockers. There is no version of uBlock Origin that works with the new system (Manifest v3). However, Hill has created a new, simpler version called uBlock Origin Lite (uBOL) that works with Manifest v3. uBOL is designed to be just as reliable and efficient as the original uBlock Origin, but has some differences to fit the new system.

Google Chrome is warning users to remove uBlock Origin or replace it with other ad blockers. A link in the warning takes users to a page on the Chrome Web Store that suggests alternatives such as uBOL, Adblock Plus, Stands AdBlocker, or Ghostery.

This warning is not just for uBlock Origin users. All extensions built on MV2 will show this warning on the Chrome extensions page if users have updated to Chrome version 127. Users in Chrome’s Beta, Dev, and Canary channels will see these warnings through June 3, 2024.

Although users can temporarily re-enable their MV2 extensions, Google plans to gradually disable these extensions over the next few months. Eventually, users will not be able to use MV2 extensions at all and will have to switch to MV3 alternatives suggested by the Chrome Web Store.

Google aims to complete the switch to MV3 by early 2025. However, businesses that use a specific policy to control MV2 extension availability will not be affected by these changes until June 2025, when the enterprise rollout of MV2 deprecations begins.

Google introduced the MV3 platform with Chrome 88 in December 2020. This new system brings significant technical changes, especially for extensions like ad blockers that require more control over browser functions. As a result, developers had to create new, simpler versions of their extensions, such as uBlock Origin Lite, with more limited capabilities.