How to Install LockDown Browser from Moodle on Mac
Step-by-step path on Moodle
- Sign in to your Moodle instance (typically
moodle.[your-school].eduor[your-school].mrooms.net). - Click the course you're enrolled in.
- Find the Quiz section (location varies by course design - usually in a Quiz block or Activities section).
- Click the specific quiz that requires LDB.
- Click "Attempt quiz now". The LDB-required prompt appears.
- Click "Download LockDown Browser". Browser downloads the .dmg.
- Proceed with the standard macOS install.
If the download link is missing
If your Moodle course doesn't show the LDB download link where this guide says it should be, the most likely causes:
- Your instructor hasn't enabled LDB for that specific assessment yet.
- The assessment is in test/draft mode, not published.
- Your enrollment in the course hasn't fully synced (try signing out and back into the LMS).
- Moodle is in maintenance window (rare).
Email your instructor with: the course name, the specific assessment, and a screenshot of what you see. They can fix the configuration server-side or send you the link directly.
After download - install on macOS
- Open Finder → Downloads. Double-click the .dmg.
- macOS verifies the notarisation. ~2-5 seconds.
- The .dmg mounts. Double-click the installer package.
- Authenticate with admin password (Sonoma 14.4+ requires this).
- Installer runs ~10-30 seconds.
LockDown Browser.appappears in/Applications. - Eject the .dmg from Finder.
- Return to Moodle, click "Launch LockDown Browser" on the assessment.
- macOS prompts: "Open LockDown Browser?" → Open.
- Approve Camera + Microphone + Screen Recording TCC dialogs.
- The exam begins.
Upgrade path (if LDB is already installed)
If you already have LDB installed from a previous course, you may not need to reinstall. Launch your existing LDB; it auto-checks for updates. Confirm the version matches your university's required minimum (right-click LDB.app → Get Info).
If your installed LDB is older than the Dashboard requires, you'll see error -111 at launch. Reinstall from your Moodle link to get the current build.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Moodle quiz say "LockDown Browser required" but no download link?
Some Moodle plugins for LDB don't inline the download link; they expect you to have it pre-installed. Email your instructor for the institutional download link.
Does Moodle require a special LDB plugin to be installed institutionally?
Yes - your Moodle administrator installs a Respondus LDB plugin. From a student's perspective, this is invisible; LDB integration just works. If LDB integration doesn't work in your Moodle course, the plugin may not be installed; contact your university IT.