As Google wraps up its support for classic extensions in the Chrome web browser for a wider audience, several browser developers have committed to maintaining compatibility with Manifest V2 extensions.
In 2023, Mozilla announced that its Firefox browser would continue to support both classic and newer extensions simultaneously. Other browser companies, including Brave Software and Opera Software, have also pledged to sustain support for at least some classic extensions.
This week, Mozilla reiterated its dedication to future extension support for Firefox on the organization’s official blog.
In summary: Firefox will concurrently support both Manifest V2 and V3 extensions moving forward. Mozilla argues that this move offers developers greater flexibility and “creative possibilities.”
This strategy ensures that Manifest V3 extensions will remain compatible with the open-source browser, allowing users to continue accessing their classic extensions. Essentially, it enables users to benefit from both older and newer extensions while giving developers the option to either keep using Manifest V2 for their extensions or switch to the updated Manifest V3 framework.
Manifest V3 is divisive
From the beginning, Google has insisted that Manifest V3 was intended to improve both the security and performance of extensions and the browser itself. The initial proposals suggested major changes that significantly affected content blockers.
Google eventually acknowledged extensive criticism and returned to the drawing board several times to mitigate the proposed changes. The rollout of Manifest V3 has encountered numerous delays, partly due to these revisions.
Currently, Google has adjusted Manifest V3 to provide better functionality for content blockers, a change made in response to considerable feedback from developers, publications, and users alike.
Despite these enhancements, Manifest V3 still falls short of the capabilities offered by Manifest V2, especially regarding content blockers. Raymond Hill, the developer behind the popular content blocker uBlock Origin, created a less effective version of the extension for Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers during this transitional phase.
Before these changes, he remarked that the Firefox version of the extension provided superior content blocking capabilities. With the launch of Manifest V3, this advantage has increasingly favored Mozilla’s browser.
Moving forward, Firefox users will enjoy the benefits of both worlds concerning extensions. They will be able to continue utilizing their favorite classic extensions while also being able to install and leverage any extensions built on the new framework.
In contrast, Chrome users will only have access to new extensions. While content blockers are still available for Chrome, they now offer fewer features compared to their classic versions. To tap into the full functionality of classic content blockers, users will need to switch to a browser that continues to support these extensions.
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