# SafeExamBrowser — Secure Web-Based E-Assessment

> Secure kiosk browser for web-based e-assessments on iOS devices. (iPhone/iPad app by ETH Zurich.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safeexambrowser/id1155002964 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [ETH Zurich](https://appshunter.io/developer/438432132)
- Category: Education, Business
- Price: Free
- Rating: 1.60/5 from 45 App Store ratings · 403 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 67 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany)
- Released: 2017-06-15
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safeexambrowser/id1155002964/reviews.md

## What is SafeExamBrowser?

SafeExamBrowser (SEB) is a secure kiosk web browser environment used to carry out e-assessments that run on exam servers. SEB opens a web browser without an address and search bar, loads a pre-configured webpage and locks an iPad (or iPhone or iPod Touch) into an assessment kiosk mode. This mode prevents students from switching to other apps (unless additional permitted apps are configured), accessing websites and communicating with other students during an exam. SEB enables secure exams on unmanaged iOS devices like students' own iPads as well as on iOS devices owned and managed by an institution. SEB doesn't use a centralized server or cloud service; it can be configured with an API, configuration files, links and QR codes. It can be used with most web-based quiz and e-assessment systems. For improved security and usability, some exam systems provide additional built-in support for SEB. Currently, SEB integrates especially well with learning management systems (LMS) such as Moodle, OpenOlat, ILIAS and with several non-commercial and commercial exam systems, such as Inspera Assessment, Dugga, Exam.net, EvaExam and Ans.

SEB uses one of the single app modes provided by iOS. After an exam is submitted, SEB can automatically end the app self-lock assessment mode (an exam invigilator could also use a quit password to end the SEB exam session and unlock the device if necessary). 

SEB features an optional Dock displaying buttons for various commands. Instead or in addition, a left slider menu shows a list of open browser tabs and commands which can be used to (if enabled in settings) quit an exam session, jump back to the start page of an exam, reload a web page, and navigate back/forward in the browsing history. 

SEB for iOS uses the same format for encrypted .seb configuration files as the SEB versions for other platforms. Those config files allow to individually configure SEB to display the start page of an exam system or an exam portal page with a list of links to current exams. If SEB for iOS is installed using a mobile device management (MDM) system, its initial configuration can easily be deployed using the "MDM Managed Configuration" feature. You can also directly start an exam with an individual configuration in SEB for iOS using a special config hyperlink. This link can be opened by examinees from Safari, Mail or a messenger app. In addition, you can use QR codes containing SEB links or even full, individual configurations. An exam can directly be started in SEB by using the iOS Camera app or the built-in QR code scanner. 

SEB also works together with Apple Classroom, teachers can start individually configured exams on all student devices. See https://safeexambrowser.org/ios for more information.


SafeExamBrowser for iOS was developed by Daniel R. Schneider, ETH Zurich, IT Services, based on the original idea of Safe Exam Browser by Stefan Schneider, University of Giessen
Project concept: Thomas Piendl, Daniel R. Schneider, Damian Büchel, Andreas Hefti, Nadim Ritter, Dirk Bauer, Michael Kern, Kai Reuter, Tobias Halbherr, Karsten Burger, Marco Lehre, Brigitte Schmucki, Oliver Rahs.

Safe Exam Browser is released as freeware. The code is subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1 (the "License"); you may only use these files in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/ .

Important parts of this project have been carried out as part of the program "AAA/SWITCH – e-Infrastructure for e-Science" led by SWITCH, the Swiss National Research and Education Network and the cooperative project "Learning Infrastructure" (part of the CRUS program "Information scientifique: accès, traitement et sauvegarde") coordinated by SWITCH, and was supported by funds from the ETH Board and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

## Key features

- Secure kiosk browser environment
- Prevents app switching and website access
- Assessment kiosk mode
- Supports unmanaged and managed iOS devices
- Configurable via API, files, links, and QR codes
- Integrates with LMS and exam systems
- Optional Dock and slider menu for commands

## Recent user reviews (10 of 403)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safeexambrowser/id1155002964/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Nullllll

*2026-08-20, version 3.6.2*

C guez!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sa race

### 1/5 — Marde en point

*2026-04-08, version 3.6.2*

Imaginer on ne peut plus fermer nos iPad les prof pourrait simplement décider de jamais nous donner le code 0 étoiles

### 5/5 — Man kann cheaten

*2026-03-25, version 3.6.2*

Ich habe schon so oft gecheatet

### 1/5 — Ne pas installer

*2026-03-17, version 3.6.2*

Ils vole vaut donné et vous empêcher de fermer votre apareil

### 1/5 — 😩😩

*2026-03-17, version 3.6.2*

Cv comme app

### 2/5 — Ah

*2026-03-16, version 3.6.2*

Les commentaires sont tellement drôle

### 1/5 — SafeExamBrowser

*2026-02-27, version 3.6.1*

Je ne l’ai pas encore essayer mais je n’aime pas le logo.

### 5/5 — Angry hilal

*2026-02-27, version 3.6.1*

Hilal pas content car pas triché🧌

### 1/5 — Хуіта єбана☠️

*2026-02-26, version 3.6.1*

Хуіта єбана☠️

### 1/5 — too difficult to use

*2026-02-12, version 3.6.1*

Not user friendly and unable to to quit app in lock mode. Quit icon will disable and reload website. Disable lock mode and put in exam website and unable to find how to put in lock password or quit the app, have to kill it.  1 star since unable to use it.

## Frequently asked questions about SafeExamBrowser

### What does SafeExamBrowser do?

SafeExamBrowser creates a secure kiosk browser environment for online exams. It locks down an iOS device, preventing students from switching to other apps, accessing unauthorized websites, or communicating with others during an assessment.

### How does SafeExamBrowser ensure exam security?

It operates in a single app mode, effectively turning the device into an assessment kiosk. This prevents students from cheating by accessing external resources or other applications. The app can also automatically end the lockdown mode after submission or be manually exited with a quit password.

### Is SafeExamBrowser free to use?

Yes, SafeExamBrowser is free to use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, making it an accessible solution for educational institutions and students.

### What devices is SafeExamBrowser compatible with?

SafeExamBrowser is compatible with iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches running iOS. It can be used on both student-owned devices and those managed by an institution.

### How can I configure SafeExamBrowser for an exam?

Configuration can be done using an API, configuration files, special hyperlinks, or QR codes. These methods allow for individual settings and easy deployment, especially when used with Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems. It integrates well with popular learning management systems and exam platforms.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.6.2 — 2026-03-03

• Fixes that a secure MDM config (with quit password) lead to a red lock screen (exam not finished correctly) on first start, now also when running on iOS 26.
• Removed all legacy code related to UIWebView. This wasn't used anymore, but might still have led to some random crashes.
• Fixed a crash which randomly happened when reconfiguring SEB (starting a new session).
• Fixed crash in Settings/Configuration/Use Config For … when changing the selected option.

Optional features which need to be individually configured and are disabled by default:
• Attempt to fix random crashes when using screen proctoring.

Known issue with a specific MDM restriction: This causes the system to terminate the app when
• it was deployed/is managed by MDM
• the MDM restriction "Managed apps can't use iCloud sync” is active on the device
• it invokes Assessment mode 

This is an iOS issue, which should be fixed in some future iOS update. If you require that MDM restriction, then you can contact us (https://safeexambrowser.org/alliance/contribute.html).

### 3.6.1 — 2026-01-06

• Fixed: Secure MDM config (with quit password) lead to red lock screen (exam not finished correctly) on first start.

Optional features which need to be individually configured and are disabled by default
• Fixed: Accessibility settings (like enable/disable VoiceOver) were not updated when reconfiguring with SEB Server.
• Fix for starting an exam via connection config (exam list) resulted in not sending an App Signature Key (ASK).

### 3.6 — 2025-09-09

• Added options in in-app Settings / User Interface to control the accessibility features VoiceOver, AssistiveTouch, Grayscale Display, Smart Invert (colors) and Zoom (system default, enable, disable).
• Support running on upcoming iOS/iPadOS version without having to change in in-app Settings / Security / Allow Running on iOS Beta never than iOS 18.
• Fixed crash in SEB 3.5.2 on (mostly) iOS older than 18.4 when loading specific webpages.

Optional features which need to be individually configured and are disabled by default
• Now supporting exams with multiple consecutive quizzes when using the optional SEB Server and SEB Server Moodle plugin.
• Fixed: SEB should send updated screen shot triggered by touch events when using the optional SEB Screen Proctoring.
• Attempt to fix a crash when establishing an SEB Server connection. If you are using SEB Server and encounter crashes when connecting to it, PLEASE SEND US A BUG REPORT (including according SEB log files and your config file). See Support link.
• Fix for random crashes in screen proctoring.

### 3.5.2 — 2025-07-09

New in 3.5.2:
• Download and 'open' configured file types instead of displaying them crashes: Fixed regression in iOS version.
• Fixed: App Signature Key (ASK) was not transmitted when using the optional, individually configured SEB Server.
• Set default value for "Allow Running on iOS Beta" (in-app Settings / Security) to 'iOS >18'.

New in 3.5:
• Now it's possible to open configuration files in in-app Settings ('More options' menu) when not running in a secure session.
• Added Home Screen quick action for editing config files in SEB in-app Settings (touch and hold SEB icon).
• Editing config files now works correctly with secure client session.
• Added setting for showing 'Edit Config File' Home Screen quick action to Settings / Configuration.
(settings key mobileShowEditConfigShortcutItem).
• Added option to create new exam settings with default values either from the "More options" menu in in-app settings or when canceling file picker invoked from Home Screen quick action for editing config file.
• Added Discard button to in-app settings when opening config files for editing or when creating exam settings. Hitting Discard will close settings and restart SEB into client settings.
• Fixed "Additional Apps" was sometimes not displayed in client In-App-Settings.
• Added in-app settings UI for entering/editing URL filter rules.
• Added support for URL content filter in WKWebView. Note: If using custom regular expressions as SEB URL filter expression, only the subset supported by WKWebView/Safari Content Filters is allowed, see https://webkit.org/blog/3476/content-blockers-first-look/
• Download (and 'open') configured file types instead of displaying them:
Added new File Types setting to Settings / Down/Uploads which allows to specify file types which will be downloaded instead of displayed by the browser. You can also indicate the associated additional app for the file type, specify a custom protocol scheme for that app (Settings / Additional Apps / App / Custom Scheme) and use the option 'Open App for Downloaded File'.
• Fixed: AAC Multi-App mode not enabled on iPadOS > 17.7.1.
• Added Home Screen quick action "Share Log File".
• Sending logs is now also possible with secure client session.
• Fixed: Blocking file chooser for uploads on iOS not working in Ans.
• Changed default values for settings allowDownUploads (enabled/true, deprecated setting) and allowUploads, which is now replaced with allowUploadsiOS (disabled/false).
• Added separate allowUploadsiOS setting, as choosing files for upload allows to access the Photos library and (iCloud) Files on iOS (compared to macOS, where you can use the temporary download folder to avoid full disk access). 
• Changed default value for minimum supported iOS version to 13. SEB will still work with iOS 12 if you change that setting, but we are not testing with this version and we generally recommend to use the latest iOS version. 
• Changed default preset for Browser Engine Policy: Now using Force Modern (if older settings don't contain another policy).

Optional features which need to be individually configured and are disabled by default
• Implemented the SEB Server invoked feature Raise Hand.
• Implemented Raise Hand message feature (displayed with long press on raise hand Dock button/side menu item or with setting raiseHandButtonAlwaysPromptMessage).
• Fixed: Crash after ending a screen proctoring session without internet connection.
• Fixed: SEB couldn't be quit because it was trying to transmit a screen shot which already was transmitted and deleted.
• Improved security for caching screen shots when connection is offline.

### 3.5.1 — 2025-05-09

New in 3.5.1:
• Fixed: BrowserExamKey/ConfigKey not recalculated correctly when opening config in in-app settings, when reverting to client settings or resetting settings.
• Fixed crash when changing selection in radio group (InAppSettings, for example on Configuration page).
• Fixed in-app Settings / Configuration / Remove Default Values and Plain Text not displayed.
• Changed default preset for Browser Engine Policy: Now using Force Modern (if older settings don't contain another policy).
• Updated UI and wording in Exam setting section and sharing of BEK/CK (visible also when rephrased setting "Send Browser & Config Keys in HTTP Header" is disabled).
• Fixed a possible crash reason (happened when SEB settings were reset when starting).
• Added SEB 3.5 to version user agent strings.

New in 3.5:
• Now it's possible to open configuration files in in-app Settings ('More options' menu) when not running in a secure session.
• Added Home Screen quick action for editing config files in SEB in-app Settings (touch and hold SEB icon).
• Editing config files now works correctly with secure client session.
• Added setting for showing 'Edit Config File' Home Screen quick action to Settings / Configuration.
(settings key mobileShowEditConfigShortcutItem).
• Added option to create new exam settings with default values either from the "More options" menu in in-app settings or when canceling file picker invoked from Home Screen quick action for editing config file.
• Added Discard button to in-app settings when opening config files for editing or when creating exam settings. Hitting Discard will close settings and restart SEB into client settings.
• Fixed "Additional Apps" was sometimes not displayed in client In-App-Settings.
• Added in-app settings UI for entering/editing URL filter rules.
• Added support for URL content filter in WKWebView. Note: If using custom regular expressions as SEB URL filter expression, only the subset supported by WKWebView/Safari Content Filters is allowed, see https://webkit.org/blog/3476/content-blockers-first-look/
• Download (and 'open') configured file types instead of displaying them:
Added new File Types setting to Settings / Down/Uploads which allows to specify file types which will be downloaded instead of displayed by the browser. You can also indicate the associated additional app for the file type, specify a custom protocol scheme for that app (Settings / Additional Apps / App / Custom Scheme) and use the option 'Open App for Downloaded File'.
• Fixed: AAC Multi-App mode not enabled on iPadOS > 17.7.1.
• Added Home Screen quick action "Share Log File".
• Sending logs is now also possible with secure client session.
• Fixed: Blocking file chooser for uploads on iOS not working in Ans.
• Changed default values for settings allowDownUploads (enabled/true, deprecated setting) and allowUploads, which is now replaced with allowUploadsiOS (disabled/false).
• Added separate allowUploadsiOS setting, as choosing files for upload allows to access the Photos library and (iCloud) Files on iOS (compared to macOS, where you can use the temporary download folder to avoid full disk access). 
• Changed default value for minimum supported iOS version to 13. SEB will still work with iOS 12 if you change that setting, but we are not testing with this version and we generally recommend to use the latest iOS version. 

Optional features which need to be individually configured and are disabled by default
• Implemented the SEB Server invoked feature Raise Hand.
• Implemented Raise Hand message feature (displayed with long press on raise hand Dock button/side menu item or with setting raiseHandButtonAlwaysPromptMessage).
• Fixed: Crash after ending a screen proctoring session without internet connection.
• Fixed: SEB couldn't be quit because it was trying to transmit a screen shot which already was transmitted and deleted.
• Improved security for caching screen shots when connection is offline.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*
