uBlock Origin Blocked: Google Axes Popular Ad Blocker from Chrome Store

Google has finally pulled the plug on uBlock Origin and all other extensions still running on Manifest V2, marking the end of an era for Chrome users. As of August 31, 2026, the popular ad blocker can no longer be installed or reinstalled through the Chrome Web Store.

The phase-out process has been ongoing for years, with Google announcing its intentions to move towards Manifest V3 in 2023. The switch was meant to improve security and privacy by limiting the capabilities of extensions, but critics argue it will also weaken ad blockers like uBlock Origin.

For users who already had uBlock Origin installed on Chrome 138 or earlier, the extension will remain functional but won't receive any further updates from the store. On newer versions of Chrome (139 and later), Manifest V2 is no longer supported at all, and any existing extensions will be disabled.

The removal of uBlock Origin has sparked concerns about user privacy, as effective ad blockers also serve as a defense against tracking scripts. With the Lite version of uBlock Origin available for Manifest V3, users can choose to compromise on blocking capabilities or switch to alternative browsers like Firefox, which still supports the full version of the extension.