In June 2024 Google will stop allowing Chrome Extensions based on the Manifest V2 (MV2) framework to run, and will only allow those using Manifest V3 (MV3).
Our testing has shown that Chrome version 110 (released in January 2023) is the lowest version that can support Smoothwall Cloud Filter using the MV3 extension framework.
Which devices does this affect?
This change impacts ChromeOS devices - Chromebooks are the most common type used.
Although we recommend all Chrome browsers (including Microsoft Edge as this is based on Chrome) to be on version 110 or later to support MV3, the following instructions don't need to be done for Windows and Mac devices as they will usually be running the latest version of Chrome automatically.
If you do have devices running a version lower than 110, update your deployment method of the Chrome browser.
What do I need to do?
Check if your ChromeOS device (e.g. a Chromebook) is listed on the Google Chrome Auto Update Policy page or in your Google Workspace Admin console with an "automatic updates until" date of before Jan 2023. You will then need to either update or install an extension.
Use the Google Workspace Admin Console to find end of life ChromeOS devices
Go to Devices > Chrome > Devices in the Google admin console.
Here you can see all your enterprise managed ChromeOS devices. Note that this will not include unmanaged devices, such as personal devices logged-into by users.
Press the 'cog' icon at the top right of the table to add the Chrome version.
Add a new column for ChromeOS Version to the device list.
This will help you identify which devices you have, when their end of life date is (from the 'automatic updates until' column) as well as the Chrome version.
All Dates listed are before Jan 2023
Your devices are no longer supported, and you will not be able to update to Chrome version 110 or higher - follow the instructions in this article on how to change your devices to our self-hosted MV2 version for extended device support: Installing the legacy MV2 Smoothwall Cloud Filter extension
All Dates listed are after Jan 2023
Your device is still supported. We recommend updating the Chrome version on your devices manually in case it is not happening automatically. You can see how to do this in Google's article here: Update your Chromebook's operating system
If you are unable to update it, there may be settings in place within your Google Workspace admin console preventing it. See Google's guidance here: Manage updates on ChromeOS devices
We have a mixture of older and newer devices
It is not possible for some devices to use Cloud Filter MV3 while older devices use the legacy MV2 Smoothwall Cloud Filter extension.
Because of this, if you have a mixture of devices, you will need to use the legacy MV2 Smoothwall Cloud Filter extension method for all of your ChromeOS devices.
We use Connect for Chromebooks
Please see our guidance here: Using Connect for Chromebooks After May 2024