LockDown Browser System Requirements for Mac (2026 Reference)
LockDown Browser 2.1.5.01 requires macOS Ventura 13.0 or later, ~200 MB free disk space, 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB recommended for Respondus Monitor), an active network connection, a working webcam + microphone (when Monitor enabled), and admin password at install. Below: each requirement explained with practical thresholds for 2026 hardware.
Minimum requirements (LDB 2.1.5.01, current build)
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| macOS | Ventura 13.0 | Sonoma 14.6 or Sequoia 15.4 | Older macOS unsupported; Tahoe 26 partial |
| Chip | Apple Silicon (M1+) or Intel | Apple Silicon any generation | Universal Binary; no Rosetta needed for 2.x |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB (16 GB if Monitor enabled) | 8 GB Air with Monitor + recording can OOM-fail |
| Free disk | 200 MB for install | 2-5 GB for install + Monitor recording buffer | Group Containers can grow several GB over a semester |
| Display | 1280×720 | 1440×900+ | Smaller resolutions truncate exam UI |
| Network | 1 Mbps stable | 5+ Mbps with Monitor recording | Recording uploads ~1-2 MB/min |
| Webcam | 720p | 1080p | Required when Monitor enabled |
| Microphone | Built-in or USB | Built-in | Required when Monitor enabled; Bluetooth has system-check timing issues |
| Admin rights | Required at install | Required at install | Sonoma 14.4+ requires admin password for Screen Recording grant |
Source: Respondus Computer Requirements KB + LDBypass test fleet measurements on 2026 hardware.
Real-world thresholds the official docs don't mention
- 8 GB RAM with Respondus Monitor active on a 90-minute exam reproducibly OOM-fails on M1 Air 8 GB if iCloud Drive is syncing in parallel. 16 GB is the practical floor for Monitor-enabled exams > 60 minutes.
- Battery: a 3-hour exam with Monitor active drains ~30% on a 16" MacBook Pro M3 Pro at 50% brightness. On a 13" Air M2 the same exam drains ~50%. Plug in for exams > 90 minutes.
- Storage: the install itself is small (~95 MB) but the Monitor pre-upload buffer in Group Containers can accumulate to 5+ GB over a semester. Clean periodically (see uninstall cluster).
- Network: Monitor uploads recording at ~1-2 MB per minute. A 90-minute exam = ~100-180 MB total. Cellular hotspot data caps matter here.
- Display: external displays trigger LDB's multi-display block. Built-in display is required for the kiosk mode. See hardware cluster.
Hardware that fails LDB
- Mac Pro (Intel, 2019 and earlier): technically supported but the discrete-GPU rendering path occasionally fails LDB's WebKit setup.
- Hackintosh / unsupported Macs running newer macOS: unsupported. LDB checks for Apple-signed boot.efi.
- Macs with FileVault disabled by MDM and Gatekeeper modified: occasionally fail signature verification.
What changes between LDB versions
| LDB version | Min macOS | Apple Silicon | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1.5.01 (current) | Ventura 13.0 | ✓ native | Tahoe partial |
| 2.1.4 | Ventura 13.0 | ✓ native | Tahoe unsupported |
| 2.0.x | Big Sur 11.0 | ✓ native | Sequoia partial; Tahoe unsupported |
| 1.x (legacy) | macOS 10.13+ | Rosetta 2 required | Unsupported on macOS 14+ |
Verifying your Mac meets requirements
- macOS version: About This Mac → top of dialog.
- Chip: About This Mac → first line under model.
- RAM: About This Mac → Memory line.
- Free disk: About This Mac → Storage tab.
- LDB version: right-click /Applications/LockDown Browser.app → Get Info → Version.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run LDB on a 2018 MacBook Pro?
Yes if it runs Ventura 13.0+. The 2018 MacBook Pro family supports up to Sonoma 14, which is fully LDB-compatible. Older Macs running High Sierra / Mojave / Catalina cannot run LDB 2.x.
Will LDB work on a borrowed iPad with macOS via virtualisation?
No. LDB blocks virtualised macOS environments per its Dashboard configuration. iPadOS itself is not supported (Mac-only).
What's the cheapest Mac that runs LDB well?
M2 MacBook Air 16 GB ($999 refurbished) is the practical floor - handles Monitor without OOM risk, supports Sonoma + Sequoia, and survives 3-hour exams on a charge.
Do I need an external webcam if my MacBook camera works?
No. The built-in FaceTime/Studio camera is fully supported. External webcams help only if your built-in is broken or has known compatibility issues (rare).