diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 588449eb..460108b4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -5,8 +5,6 @@ A neutral new tab page accented with a chosen colour. Customise the layout, styl
 
 [See the demo in action](https://zombiefox.github.io/nightTab/)
 
-*All bookmarks or preference changes will not persist in demo mode.*
-
 ---
 
 ### [Chrome Extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nighttab/hdpcadigjkbcpnlcpbcohpafiaefanki)
diff --git a/js/data.js b/js/data.js
index 50fb9e95..898573c6 100644
--- a/js/data.js
+++ b/js/data.js
@@ -15,16 +15,12 @@ var data = (function() {
   };
 
   var save = function() {
-    if ("runtime" in chrome) {
-      if ("getManifest" in chrome.runtime) {
-        var data = {
-          version: version.get(),
-          state: state.get(),
-          bookmarks: bookmarks.get()
-        };
-        set(saveName, JSON.stringify(data));
-      };
+    var data = {
+      version: version.get(),
+      state: state.get(),
+      bookmarks: bookmarks.get()
     };
+    set(saveName, JSON.stringify(data));
   };
 
   var wipe = function() {
@@ -38,17 +34,15 @@ var data = (function() {
   var restore = function() {
     var data = load();
     if (data) {
-      if ("runtime" in chrome) {
-        if ("getManifest" in chrome.runtime) {
-          if (!("version" in data) || data.version != version.get()) {
-            console.log("data version " + data.version + " found less than current");
-            data = update.run(data);
-            set(saveName, JSON.stringify(data));
-          } else {
-            console.log("data version " + version.get() + " no need to run update");
-          };
-        };
+      if (!("version" in data) || data.version != version.get()) {
+        console.log("data version " + data.version + " found less than current");
+        data = update.run(data);
+        set(saveName, JSON.stringify(data));
+      } else {
+        console.log("data version " + version.get() + " no need to run update");
       };
+    } else {
+      console.log("no data found to load");
     };
   };
 
diff --git a/js/init.js b/js/init.js
index ce2a96a5..22e4ee31 100644
--- a/js/init.js
+++ b/js/init.js
@@ -1,19 +1,5 @@
 // log version
-var demoMessage = function() {
-  console.log("nightTab running in demo mode");
-  console.log("all bookmarks or preference changes will not persist in demo mode");
-};
-
-if ("runtime" in chrome) {
-  if ("getManifest" in chrome.runtime) {
-    console.log("nightTab version", version.get());
-  } else {
-    demoMessage();
-  };
-} else {
-  demoMessage();
-};
-
+console.log("nightTab version", version.get());
 data.init();
 state.init();
 bookmarks.init();
diff --git a/js/version.js b/js/version.js
index 6bf0a957..32c22bf2 100644
--- a/js/version.js
+++ b/js/version.js
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 var version = (function() {
 
+  var current = "3.14.0";
+
   var compare = function(a, b) {
     var pa = a.split(".");
     var pb = b.split(".");
@@ -23,7 +25,8 @@ var version = (function() {
   };
 
   var get = function() {
-    return chrome.runtime.getManifest().version;
+    // return chrome.runtime.getManifest().version;
+    return current;
   };
 
   // exposed methods