Apple’s iPhone and iPad have been approved to handle classified information at the NATO restricted level, following extensive testing by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security. The decision means certain devices running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 can be used in NATO restricted environments without additional software or configuration.
Apple said its smartphones and tablets are the first consumer devices found compliant with the information assurance requirements set by NATO nations for restricted data. The certification allows them to process and store information classified up to the NATO restricted level.
The evaluation was carried out by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security, known as BSI. It involved technical assessments, in-depth security analysis, and comprehensive platform testing to determine whether Apple’s built-in protections met NATO operational and assurance standards.
Earlier, iPhone and iPad had already been approved to handle classified German government data when using native iOS and iPadOS security features. With the latest certification, devices running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are now cleared for similar use across NATO member states.
Apple builds security features into its hardware and software stack, including its in-house silicon. These include encryption, biometric authentication through Face ID, and Memory Integrity Enforcement.
NATO requirements
“Secure digital transformation is only successful if information security is considered from the beginning in the development of mobile products,” said Claudia Plattner, president of BSI. “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.”
The certification means iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are now listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue. That listing formally recognizes that the platforms meet the alliance’s criteria for handling restricted information.
Ivan Krstić, Apple’s vice president of Security Engineering and Architecture, said the approval reflects a shift in how secure devices are delivered. “This achievement recognizes that Apple has transformed how security is traditionally delivered. Prior to iPhone, secure devices were only available to sophisticated government and enterprise organizations after a massive investment in bespoke security solutions,” he said. “Instead, Apple has built the most secure devices in the world for all its users, and those same protections are now uniquely certified under assurance requirements for NATO nations — unlike any other device in the industry.”
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