The uBlock Origin extension was removed from Chrome when Google introduced its Manifest V3 to improve user privacy and security. While the developers have launched uBlock Origin Lite as an alternative, many people still prefer the original version for its effectiveness. Thankfully, there is a turnaround to get it back. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can get uBlock Origin to work again in the Google Chrome browser.

Force Enable uBlock Origin in Chrome

If you are using the latest version of Chrome on desktop, then you won’t be able to install the uBlock Origin extension. However, the browser allows you to enable legacy extensions on the older Manifest V2 using Chrome flags.

1. Open the Google Chrome browser and type chrome://flags in the address bar, and press Enter.

2. Search for Allow legacy extension manifest versions.

3. Use the dropdown menu and set the toggle to Enabled. Relaunch your browser.

4. Download the latest version of uBlock for Chromium from the GitHub page by scrolling down the Assets. Ensure that you download the Chromium variant, as we are installing it in Chrome. Extract this zip file.

5. Click on the three dots icon in Chrome > Extensions > Manage Extensions.

6. Enable the Developer Mode from the top-right corner.

7. Click on Load Unpacked, and select the folder that we extracted from the zip file.

8. The uBlock Origin extension will get installed in your Chrome browser and is ready to use.

Also Read: Here’s How You Can Use Chrome Extensions on Android

uBlock Origin vs uBlock Origin Lite

If you don’t want to take the longer route of installing the actual uBlock Origin extension manually, you can try the new uBlock Origin Lite. It comes from the same developer, Raymond Hill, and the extension is available on the Chrome Web Store as it supports Manifest V3.

In my experience, the uBlock Origin Lite extension works perfectly fine for blocking annoying ads and pop-ups on websites. However, it does not work on YouTube and other video streaming platforms, which actively restrict access if you are running an ad-blocker. Even though this is a drawback, this behaviour has become necessary under the Manifest V3 guidelines.

uBlock Origin Lite is a stripped-down version of the actual extension, and should be more than enough for websites. But if you are looking for something more powerful and comprehensive to block all ads, we recommend shifting to the Mozilla Firefox browser, which supports the original version of uBlock Origin. You can also try the Brave browser, which comes with built-in ad-blocking capabilities.

FAQs

Q. How to get uBlock Origin in Chrome?

You can enable the Manifest V2 chrome flag and download the uBlock Origin from the official GitHub page to use the extension in the Google Chrome browser.

Q. Is uBlock Origin available for Android?

uBlock Origin is not directly available on Android. You can use Firefox, Brave, or Opera Mini browsers on your phone as they support ad-blocking.

Q. Is uBlock Origin Safe?

Yes, uBlock Origin is safe to use. It only blocks intrusive ad elements and does not interfere with the safety of your browser.

Wrapping Up

You can get the popular uBlock Origin extension working in Chrome by changing a few chrome flags, and downloading it manually from GitHub. However, there are alternatives available such as the uBlock Origin Lite, the original extension offers more control. Just ensure that you do not download a fake version of the extension.

You may also like to read:

• 6 Ways to Bypass “Ad Blockers are Not Allowed on YouTube”
• 3 Ways To Remove Malware From Google Chrome Extensions
• How To Fix ‘Ad Used Too Many Resources’ Error in Chrome
• How to Disable Auto Dub in YouTube Shorts and Other Videos

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