LockDown Browser on macOS Ventura 13 - Compatibility & Sunset Status
Status by Ventura version
| Ventura version | LDB minimum | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13.0 / 13.1 / 13.2 | 2.0.0 | ✓ | Stable; first macOS with full LDB 2.x support |
| 13.3 / 13.4 / 13.5 | 2.0.0 | ✓ | Stable |
| 13.6 / 13.7 | 2.0.0 | ✓ | Extended support; security updates only |
Why Ventura is the LDB minimum
LDB 2.x dropped support for Big Sur (11) and Monterey (12) in 2024. Reasons:
- Big Sur / Monterey ended Apple's active support in 2024.
- Older WebKit versions on those macOSes don't support newer Web standards LDB's exam interface uses.
- TCC permission model in Big Sur is meaningfully different from Sonoma+.
If you're on Big Sur or Monterey, upgrading to Ventura or later is required.
Should you upgrade from Ventura?
Recommendation: upgrade to Sonoma 14.6 or later when you have a 24-hour verification window. Reasons:
- Better LDB performance.
- Continued feature updates from Apple.
- Sonoma supports newer hardware (M4 generation Macs require Sonoma+).
- Most universities are gradually moving toward Sonoma+ as the recommended baseline.
Reasons to stay on Ventura:
- Older Mac that doesn't support Sonoma. Check Apple's compatibility list - most 2017-2018 Macs support Sonoma; older may be Ventura-final.
- Stable working setup; no upcoming exams; no time to verify.
- Specific software dependencies that broke on Sonoma.
Macs that can't go beyond Ventura
| Mac | Last supported macOS |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro (2017) | Ventura 13 |
| MacBook (2017) | Ventura 13 |
| iMac (2017) | Sonoma 14 (most), Ventura 13 (some 21.5") |
| MacBook Air (2018) | Sonoma 14 |
| Mac mini (2018) | Sonoma 14 |
Models on Apple's "Ventura final" list will receive security updates from Apple through ~2025, then stop. After that, you'll be on an unsupported macOS - at which point LDB will eventually drop support too.
If you're stuck on Ventura
- Update to Ventura 13.7.1 (latest).
- Use LDB 2.1.5.01 (current). It works fully on Ventura.
- Don't expect new features or improvements on Ventura - Respondus's development focus is on Sonoma+.
- If your exam fails on Ventura with LDB 2.1.5.01, the troubleshooting paths in won't-open / errors / permissions clusters apply equally.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ventura have the 30-day Screen Recording re-prompt?
No - that's a Sequoia 15.3+ feature. Ventura's Screen Recording grant persists indefinitely until manually revoked.
Will Apple drop Ventura security updates soon?
Apple's pattern is ~3 years of security updates after a macOS major launch. Ventura launched Oct 2022; expected security updates through ~2025. Check Apple's security updates page for current.
Does LDB 2.1.5.01 work the same on Ventura as on Sonoma?
Functionally yes. Performance is fractionally lower on Ventura (older WebKit). No exam-blocking differences.