Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google will remove all older Manifest V2 extensions from Chrome Web Store next month.
- The only way to keep using these extensions is not to update Chrome past v138.
- There won’t be any way to restore the older extensions once they’re deleted from Chrome, even on v138 or older.
- Chrome v139 and newer only support faster, more efficient Manifest V3 extensions.
Previous steps from the Chromium team have already crippled older extensions to an extent. Their actions include automatically disabling older extensions and making it more difficult for users to enable them. Now, it’s pushing harder and getting ready to remove every footprint of these older extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
The most recent update notes,
Manifest V2 extensions installed on Chrome 138 or earlier will remain installed, but will be unable to receive any updates and cannot be reinstalled from the Chrome Web Store once removed from Chrome.
The deadline is set for August 31, 2026, after which all Manifest V2 extensions will cease to exist in the Chrome Web Store, and users will supposedly not be able to reinstall them. Chrome is also likely to block you from installing them again, even if you have the package downloaded to your desktop.
How to keep using older Manifest V2 extensions?
The first, slightly complicated way is to use Developer Tools in Chrome.
There is, however, a simple workaround, and that is to use an alternate browser. Among the ones that still support Manifest V2 extensions is Mozilla Firefox. You could also try some lesser-known options, such as Thorium or Ghost, but expect some friction while getting used to them.
There’s still a possibility you might not be able to find those extensions anywhere to download, which is why you should download a copy of the ones dear to you.
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