BlockTube status in 2026

Status: Non-functional. BlockTube is a Manifest V2 extension. Chrome has disabled MV2 extensions across Stable, Beta, and Dev channels. BlockTube will not install and will not run in Chrome as of 2026. The extension has not been updated to Manifest V3.

BlockTube was one of the most widely used YouTube filtering extensions. At its peak, it let you block channels by ID, handle, or keyword regex — a level of control that YouTube itself never offered. Thousands of users built up personal blocklists over years.

Then Google announced Manifest V2 deprecation. MV2 is the extension API that BlockTube — and most older extensions — were built on. The successor, Manifest V3, has a different architecture that doesn't allow the same kind of direct DOM interception.

The BlockTube maintainer acknowledged the issue in 2023. As of March 2026: 438 open GitHub issues, no MV3 branch, no update in over 18 months. The extension listing in the Chrome Web Store is effectively abandoned.

Why users loved BlockTube

Before looking at alternatives, it's worth understanding what made BlockTube popular:

  • Channel ID blocking. You could paste a YouTube channel's UC... ID directly and it would be hidden everywhere — search, recommendations, homepage.
  • Regex keyword filtering. Block any channel whose name matches a pattern. Useful for filtering entire categories of spam by naming convention.
  • Import/export. Blocklists were stored in plain text, easy to back up and share.
  • Open source. Users could verify what the extension was doing.

The gap it leaves: a simple, reliable way to permanently remove specific channels from your YouTube experience.

5 working alternatives

Recommended

1. Blokari

Best overall

Blokari is a Manifest V3 extension built specifically to replace the gap that BlockTube leaves. Where BlockTube required you to build your own blocklist one channel at a time, Blokari ships with curated lists of 10,000+ channels organized into 14 categories — propaganda, AI content, kids trash, gambling, clickbait, and more.

You can also add custom channels manually (matching BlockTube's primary use case) and maintain a personal whitelist. Three filtering modes: Flag (blur with badge), Block deception, or Block all. Free to use with all core features.

Pros
  • MV3, works in Chrome 2026
  • 10,000+ curated channels
  • Category-based filtering
  • Custom channel blocking
  • Parental controls built-in
  • Free tier is genuinely useful
Cons
  • No regex keyword blocking (yet)
  • Mobile not supported

2. Unhook

Good for distraction blocking

Unhook hides YouTube's recommendation UI entirely — no homepage feed, no sidebar suggestions, no end screens. It's not channel-specific blocking; it removes the entire recommendation layer. This is useful if you want to use YouTube like a search engine: you type what you want to watch, you watch it, you leave.

Pros
  • MV3 compatible
  • Actively maintained
  • Very reliable
  • Free tier available
Cons
  • Hides all recommendations, not selective
  • Can't block specific channels
  • Full features require paid upgrade

3. Video Blocker

Basic channel blocking

Video Blocker is a simpler extension that lets you right-click on a YouTube video and block the channel. It maintains a personal blocklist. Unlike BlockTube, it lacks regex support and the list management is minimal. It's been updated to MV3 but development is slow.

Pros
  • MV3 compatible
  • Simple right-click blocking
  • Free
Cons
  • Manual only, no curated lists
  • No regex support
  • Minimal maintenance

4. DF Tube (Distraction Free for YouTube)

Minimalist approach

DF Tube hides distracting elements on YouTube: comments, suggestions, trending section, end screens. Like Unhook, it's focused on reducing distraction rather than blocking specific channels. Good for focus, not for targeted filtering.

Pros
  • MV3 compatible
  • Granular UI element hiding
  • Free
Cons
  • Cannot block specific channels
  • Not a BlockTube replacement

5. YouTube's built-in "Don't recommend channel"

Last resort

YouTube's native signal. Click the three dots on any video, select "Don't recommend channel." This tells the algorithm to reduce that channel in your feed. It's free, requires no extension, and works on mobile. However, it's a weak signal that fades over time and doesn't affect search results.

Pros
  • No extension needed
  • Works on mobile
  • Free
Cons
  • Temporary — fades over time
  • Doesn't remove from search
  • Manual, one channel at a time

Comparison table

Comparison of BlockTube alternatives
Feature Blokari Unhook Video Blocker DF Tube YT built-in
MV3 compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A
Block specific channels Yes No Yes No Weakly
Curated lists 10,000+ channels None None None None
Import custom list Yes No CSV only No No
Hides from search Yes No Yes No No
Free Yes (core features) Limited free Yes Yes Yes

Migration guide: import your BlockTube list into Blokari

If you have an existing BlockTube blocklist, here is how to migrate it to Blokari. BlockTube stores channel IDs and handles in its settings — you can export them and import to Blokari.

Export from BlockTube (if still accessible) In BlockTube's settings, look for an "Export" option. This gives you a text list of blocked channel IDs (UC...) and handles (@name).
Install Blokari Add Blokari from the Chrome Web Store. It works on Chrome, Edge, and Brave.
Open Blokari Options Right-click the Blokari icon → Options, or navigate to the Options page from the popup.
Go to Lists tab Find the "User Blocklist" section and click the Import button.
Paste your channel IDs Paste the channel IDs and handles from your BlockTube export. One entry per line. Both UC... IDs and @handles are supported.
Done Your custom blocklist is now active in Blokari alongside the curated category lists.

If BlockTube is no longer accessible and you can't export, you may be able to recover your list from Chrome's extension storage. Navigate to chrome://extensions, find BlockTube, and use the developer tools to inspect the extension's local storage.