Google Removes All Manifest V2 Extensions from Chrome Web Store

Google executed the final phase of its Manifest V3 transition by purging remaining MV2 extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Affected packages include uBlock Origin. Extensions already installed on Chrome 138 or earlier continue to run without updates or reinstall options from the store. The Chrome Web Store serves as the primary source for Chromium-based browsers, extending the impact to Brave, Edge, and Opera users who previously relied on it for discovery.

MV3 replaces the webRequest API with declarativeNetRequest, which caps rule counts at 30,000 per extension and removes dynamic filtering capabilities present in MV2. uBlock Origin's filter lists exceed this limit on default configurations. Data from filter list repositories show over 150,000 rules in comprehensive setups. Brave responded by hosting AdGuard, uBlock Origin, uMatrix, and NoScript on its own servers while maintaining MV2 compatibility.

The change forces users toward MV3 ports with reduced blocking precision or migration to Firefox and Brave. Primary sources include Chromium developer documentation on declarativeNetRequest limits and Brave's extension hosting announcement. Operational outcome includes measurable degradation in ad and tracker blocking for Chrome users who do not switch platforms within the next release cycle.

Firefox telemetry recorded a 12 percent rise in new profiles from Chrome during prior MV3 rollout phases. Continued MV2 support on non-Chromium engines will determine whether the shift accelerates browser diversification or consolidates around limited MV3 implementations.