NATO approves the iPhone and iPad for classified use

Source: Engadget

Background

Apple’s mobile devices have been deemed secure enough for NATO. Following extensive testing by the German government, the iPhone and iPad are now considered secure enough for the NATO‑restricted classified level.

Testing and Approval

Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, BSI) performed the assessments. BSI first approved the iPhone and iPad for governmental use by German authorities in 2022. For NATO approval, Apple says BSI conducted exhaustive technical assessments, comprehensive testing, and deep security analysis.

Apple’s press release emphasizes that these are the first consumer devices to receive the certification, and they achieved it without any special software or settings. The approval applies to iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.

“Secure digital transformation is only successful if information security is considered from the beginning in the development of mobile products,” BSI president Claudia Plattner is quoted as saying. “Expanding on BSI’s rigorous audit of iOS and iPadOS platform and device security for use in classified German information environments, we are pleased to confirm the compliance under NATO nations’ assurance requirements.”

Implications

For most users, the NATO certification does not change day‑to‑day usage, but it does bolster Apple’s security marketing claims. The announcement does not affect Apple’s privacy stance, which continues to be a separate discussion.