LockDown Browser Screen Recording Permission Won't Stick on Mac

Last updated 2026-05-01 · LDBypass Editorial

macOS Sequoia 15.3+ added a 30-day re-confirmation prompt for Screen Recording permission - the most invasive TCC permission on macOS. LDB users see this as a "permission won't stick" symptom. The behaviour is by Apple's design and cannot be permanently disabled, but you can verify the permission is granted correctly so each prompt is one-click.

Symptoms

Every LDB launch shows "LockDown Browser would like to record your screen" dialog.
Toggling the permission on in System Settings doesn't persist across reboots.
"Screen Recording permission required" warning appears even after granting.
The permission shows as enabled in System Settings but LDB acts as if denied.

Why this is happening (Sequoia 15.3+)

Apple introduced a periodic re-confirmation requirement for Screen Recording permission in macOS Sequoia 15.3 (January 2026). Apps that hold Screen Recording permission and haven't been launched in >30 days, OR after a system update, OR after a TCC database refresh, must re-prompt the user. This is a privacy enhancement Apple deployed in response to the discovery of several malware families abusing persisted Screen Recording grants.

The behavior is deliberate and cannot be permanently disabled. Apps cannot opt out. The best you can do is grant cleanly each time the prompt appears.

Fix 1 - Grant cleanly when the prompt appears

When the "LockDown Browser would like to record your screen" dialog appears, click "Open System Settings".
System Settings opens directly to Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording.
Toggle the LockDown Browser slider on.
macOS prompts for admin password (Sonoma 14.4+ requires this for Screen Recording specifically).
Authenticate. The toggle stays on.
The dialog asks "Quit & Reopen" - click it. LDB restarts with the permission.

Fix 2 - Reset and re-add cleanly if the toggle won't stick

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording.
Click LockDown Browser to highlight, then click the (-) minus to remove.
Quit LDB if running.
Relaunch LDB. The Screen Recording prompt appears fresh.
Follow Fix 1.

Fix 3 - Reset TCC at the system level

tccutil reset ScreenCapture com.respondus.lockdownbrowser

Forces TCC to forget LDB's Screen Recording state. Next launch prompts fresh; grant cleanly.

Fix 4 - Update macOS to the latest minor

Sequoia 15.4 fixed several TCC re-confirmation bugs from 15.3. If you're on 15.3.0 or 15.3.1, update to 15.4+ via Software Update.

Fix 5 - Pre-launch the day before exam

Don't leave permission renewal for exam day. Launch LDB at least 24 hours before the exam, click through the Screen Recording prompt, and quit. The permission is fresh and won't re-prompt for 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Can I disable the 30-day re-prompt completely?

No. Apple does not provide an opt-out. The behaviour is enforced at the TCC framework level for all apps holding Screen Recording permission.

Do other proctoring tools have the same issue?

Yes - Honorlock, Examplify, Proctorio all face the same 30-day re-prompt on Sequoia 15.3+. The issue is OS-level, not LDB-specific.

Will the prompt interrupt my exam?

Only at launch, before the exam timer starts. Once the exam is running, no further prompts. So launching LDB cleanly 24 hours before, then again right before the exam, prevents in-exam interruptions.