LockDown Browser + Dropbox / OneDrive / Google Drive Conflict on Mac

Last updated 2026-05-02 · LDBypass Editorial

The symptom

LDB launch freezes for 5-15 seconds (sometimes 60+ seconds on Macs with very large Dropbox libraries). Webcam check delayed. Periodic stutter during the exam as cloud sync polls the cache directory.

Why it conflicts with LDB

Each cloud sync product installs a FinderLoadBundle handler that hooks into macOS's file system event stream. They watch the entire user home directory for changes. When LDB writes to ~/Library/Application Support/LockDown Browser/ during launch, all three handlers fire simultaneously, each scanning the new files for selective-sync rules.

The fix - pre-exam procedure

1. Dropbox: Status menu icon → Settings (gear) → Quit Dropbox. Verify no Dropbox processes remain in Activity Monitor.
2. OneDrive: Status menu icon → Settings → Quit OneDrive. Verify no OneDrive processes.
3. Google Drive Desktop: Status menu icon → Quit Google Drive. Verify no Google Drive processes.
4. Box Drive (corporate users): Same - quit entirely.
5. iCloud Drive: Cannot be quit (system service). Does NOT exhibit the same delay because Apple's CloudDocs daemon is more conservative about scanning. Leave iCloud Drive alone.

Alternative configurations

If you want to avoid quitting/restarting cloud sync regularly:

• Pause sync (most clients have a "Pause sync for 1 hour" option in their menu) instead of quitting.
• Add ~/Library/Application Support/LockDown Browser to selective-sync exclusions. Won't fully eliminate the delay but reduces the file-event volume.
• Take exams from a laptop without cloud sync installed (less practical).

What NOT to do

• Don't try to bypass the conflict mid-exam - LDB's blacklist scan happens before exam launch and re-runs at intervals.
• Don't restart the conflicting app DURING the exam - LDB will detect the new process and may flag.
• Don't leave the conflicting app paused/disabled long-term outside exam windows; that's overkill for non-LDB use.