Mozilla Firefox and Brave keep uBlock Origin alive while Chrome and Edge block the adblocker
While Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge phase out support for Manifest Version 2 (MV2) extensions, Firefox and Brave are committing to maintaining uBlock Origin functionality. The shift away from MV2 marks a significant change in browser extension architecture that will impact ad-blocking capabilities for millions of users.
Microsoft Edge will soon terminate support for MV2 extensions, causing uBlock Origin to stop working in the browser. Google Chrome is pursuing a similar timeline, gradually deprecating the older extension standard in favor of Manifest Version 3 (MV3), which imposes stricter limitations on ad-blocking capabilities. Both companies cite security and performance improvements as rationale for the more restrictive extension ecosystem.
However, Firefox and Brave have publicly committed to maintaining MV2 compatibility. Mozilla’s statement was unambiguous: “Firefox support for uBlock Origin is not going anywhere,” ensuring Firefox users will retain full ad-blocking functionality. Brave similarly announced continued support for uBlock Origin and other MV2 extensions, positioning itself as an alternative for users prioritizing ad-blocking capabilities.
For Windows 11 users seeking to maintain uBlock Origin, this creates a clear choice between major Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge) and alternatives that prioritize extension compatibility. The divergence highlights growing tension in the browser market between major tech companies pushing MV3 adoption and vendors offering continued support for traditional extension functionality. This shift could influence browser choice for privacy-conscious users, as MV3’s restrictions significantly limit ad-blocking effectiveness.