Should You Uninstall LockDown Browser After Every Exam? (Practical Answer)
Default recommendation: don't uninstall after every exam
Reasons it doesn't matter much:
- LDB does not run in the background between exams. The bundle on disk costs only ~100 MB and the cache rarely exceeds 200 MB.
- The Monitor Group Container only accumulates data during exams. Between exams it's dormant.
- The TCC permissions you granted carry over to the next exam - uninstalling means you re-grant them, wasting setup time.
- Reinstalling adds 5-10 minutes to your next exam's pre-flight.
When post-exam uninstall makes sense
- End of semester / done with university. No upcoming exams. Reclaim the disk.
- Privacy-conscious deployment: you don't want any LDB-related state persisted on disk.
- Shared Mac with siblings: clean state for the next user.
- Loaner Mac going back to university IT: their policy may require it.
- You suspect Monitor buffer didn't upload: clean to ensure no recording fragments remain.
- Concerns about retention: even though the local copy is buffer-only, deleting it is a clean signal.
The lightweight middle ground: clear only the buffer
If you want to clear privacy-sensitive state without uninstalling:
rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.respondus.lockdownbrowser/Run this after every exam. Clears the Monitor recording buffer. Does NOT touch:
- The application bundle (LDB stays installed).
- Application Support (cached Dashboard configs preserved).
- TCC permissions (don't re-grant on next exam).
Best balance: privacy hygiene without re-setup overhead.
Periodic full cleanup (recommended quarterly)
Even if you don't uninstall after every exam, run the complete uninstall every 3-4 months - particularly after a semester ends. This:
- Reclaims accumulated cache (~200-500 MB after a semester).
- Forces a fresh install with the latest LDB build for next semester.
- Resets TCC permissions to a clean state, so the macOS update cycle's permission-reset shenanigans start fresh.
- Eliminates buffered Monitor recordings from any failed uploads.
The case for keeping LDB installed
- Convenience: next exam launches in ~15 seconds vs ~10 minutes after reinstall.
- TCC stability: Sequoia 15.3+'s 30-day Screen Recording re-prompt cycle stays predictable if LDB is launched periodically.
- Auto-update: LDB checks for updates on launch; staying installed means you're always on a current build.
Decision tree
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Active student, multiple exams per term | Keep installed. Clear Group Container only after each exam. |
| End of semester / final exam done | Complete uninstall. |
| Privacy-sensitive (you want zero LDB state) | Complete uninstall after each exam. Accept the re-setup cost. |
| Shared / family Mac | Complete uninstall after each exam, reinstall before next. |
| Returning loaner laptop to IT | Complete uninstall. Possibly required by IT policy. |
| Concerned about retention liability | Complete uninstall + clear Group Containers. (Note: server-side recording is unaffected by local cleanup.) |
What about Respondus servers?
Local cleanup doesn't affect server-side recording retention. Your exam recording on Respondus's cloud is governed by your institution's retention policy (default 5 years). Local cleanup removes only your Mac's buffer. See retention page.
Frequently asked questions
Does keeping LDB installed make my Mac vulnerable?
No more than any other notarised app. LDB doesn't run between exams; it has no background services on personal Macs. The application bundle sitting in /Applications poses no active risk.
Will my exam answers be lost if I uninstall after the exam?
No - answers live in your LMS, not in LDB. Uninstall is safe post-submit.
Can I disable LDB without uninstalling?
You can revoke TCC permissions (System Settings → Privacy → Camera/Microphone/Screen Recording → toggle LDB off). Next exam will re-prompt for them, which adds 30 seconds. Lighter than uninstall.