Overview of Manifest V3 (MV3) impact on Whatfix

Manifest V3, or MV3, refers to a significant update to the WebExtensions API used to build browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and other Chromium-based browsers such as Edge and Opera.

As per the latest updates to MV3, the injection of remote code will no longer be allowed. This means any custom code that is configured for additional capabilities in Advanced Customization (AC) can't be previewed using Whatfix Studio's Preview mode.

How does the MV3 update impact you?

Whatfix will release its MV3-compliant Studio extension by June 1, 2024. After the upgrade to the MV3 extension, if your account relies on AC code for certain features, those specific capabilities can't be previewed using the Preview mode.
However, all other Whatfix content can be previewed as usual. There is no impact on the end-user experience, including features supported by AC code.

What is Whatfix's solution?

As the MV3 update will not enable you to preview AC code changes, Whatfix is actively developing self serve features that will provide you with out-of-the-box capabilities that do not require any code to be added in AC.
Some features, such as customizing fonts, setting Technical Preferences, and identifying User/Language have already been released as part of the Q1 R1 2024 release.

If any of your use cases can't be migrated by June 1, 2024, you can use Whatfix's Preview extension to preview any AC code changes.

While Google is enforcing MV3 guidelines beginning June 2024, Whatfix plans to release its MV3-compliant Studio extension by June 1, 2024. Consequently, Whatfix will not be supporting Advanced Customization's (AC) Code Editor for new accounts created after June 1, 2024.

What action do you have to take as part of the MV3 update?

If you're using AC code to achieve certain out-of-the-box capabilities, shift to the available product features by June 1, 2024. Contact your Whatfix representative for guidance through the migration process.
If any of your use cases can't be migrated by June 1, 2024, you can use Whatfix's Preview extension to preview any AC code changes.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the MV3 update, contact support@whatfix.com.

Here are some FAQs about the MV3 impact on Whatfix.

• How does the MV3 update impact Whatfix content creators?
• What is Advanced Customization (AC) code?
• What happens to accounts that don't have any AC code?
• Will there be any impact on end users who see Whatfix content?
• Will there be any impact on your content creation experience?
• What will happen to the Code Editor after the MV3 update?
• What are the latest self serve features provided by Whatfix that no longer require AC code?
• How can I use Whatfix’s Preview extension?
• How do I know if my existing Studio extension is not MV3 compliant?
• How can I get the Preview extension?
• Will I be able to mass deploy Preview extensions to certain sets of users?
• What can I do about features that are not self serviceable yet, and require AC code to achieve after the MV3 update?
• Do I need to update or re-install the Whatfix extension after the MV3 update?

How does the MV3 update impact Whatfix content creators?

Capabilities added using Advanced Customization (AC) code cannot be previewed by content creators using the Preview mode. However, all other Whatfix content can be previewed as usual.

What is Advanced Customization (AC) code?

Whatfix enables you to perform most tasks using the Whatfix user interface. For tasks that are not as frequently used, you can use certain snippets of Advanced customization (AC) code to perform specific capabilities using Whatfix. To verify if your account contains any AC code, see Access Code Editor.

What happens to accounts that don't have any AC code?

Accounts that don't have any AC code will not be impacted by this update.

Will there be any impact on your content creation experience?

There will be no impact on your content creation experience.

Will there be any impact on end users who see Whatfix content?

End users are not impacted by this change, as the AC code will be bundled within the Whatfix production extension or JS embed.

What will happen to the Code Editor in Advanced Customization after the MV3 update?

Whatfix will not support the Code Editor for all new Whatfix accounts created after June 1, 2024.

For existing accounts that still have AC code, the Code Editor will remain in such accounts. However, the AC code changes cannot be previewed using the Preview mode, as mentioned above.

What are the latest self serve features provided by Whatfix that no longer require AC code?

The following are the latest self serve features provided by Whatfix:

• Customize Fonts in Whatfix content or widgets
• Configure User and Locale identification rules
• Set Technical Preferences for your Whatfix account

How can I use Whatfix’s Preview extension?

If any of your use cases can't be migrated by June 1, 2024, you can use Whatfix's Preview extension to preview any AC code changes.

How do I know if my existing Studio extension is not MV3 compliant?

After June 3, if you still have the older MV2 Studio extension installed, you may see a warning banner when visiting the Chrome extension management page. Chrome will warn you that the MV2 Studio extension will soon no longer be supported.

Following this, Chrome will gradually disable any MV2 extensions in the coming months. You may then install the MV3 alternative for your disabled extension. For a short time after the extensions are disabled, you will still be able to turn the MV2 extensions back on, but over time, this toggle will go away as well.

Whatfix recommends that you install the MV3 compliant Studio at the earliest opportunity to avoid any potential issues.

How can I get the Preview extension?

Whatfix enables you to use Whatfix Studio to install the Preview extension. This needs to be done only once, after which the Preview extension is updated automatically.

Will I be able to mass deploy Preview extensions to certain sets of users?

Yes, you can mass deploy Preview extension to your set of content creators. If this is not possible, contact your IT team for assistance.

What can I do about features that are not self serviceable yet, and require AC code to achieve after the MV3 update?

• Any feature gaps can be communicated to Whatfix representative.
• For existing ENTs that still have AC code, the Code Editor in AC will remain view-only. The code changes can be previewed using the Preview Extension. For more information, see Access Code Editor.

• The code editor will not be available for new ENTs created after June 1, 2024.

Do I need to update or re-install the Whatfix production extension after the MV3 update?

The extension ID of existing extensions is not changed after the MV3 update. This means that if you use any Group policy to force install the Whatfix production extension for your end users, you don't need to modify your group policies after the MV3 update.