Your iPhone is secure enough to handle classified info

Macworld

While we wait for a new iPhone possibly coming next week, Apple has issued a press release to let everyone know that the iPhone and iPad (when running iOS/iPadOS 26 or later) have now been approved by NATO for use with restricted-level information.

The German government previously approved these devices for use with its own classified information. Now, following an audit by the German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, or BSI), they are approved for such uses in all 32 NATO member nations.

Ivan Krstić, Apple’s vice president of Security Engineering and Architecture, said, “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.”

Apple says this makes the iPhone and iPad the only consumer devices approved for such use without any special software installed. The security provided by iOS/iPadOS 26 and Apple’s hardware alone is sufficient when using the appropriate options enabled. Handling classified information typically requires bespoke devices, custom operating systems, or additional custom security software.

News

Your iPhone is secure enough to handle classified info

Apple iOS devices are the only consumer gadgets that don't require special software to pass NATO security standards.

By Jason Cross

Senior Editor, Macworld FEB 26, 2026 12:36 pm PST

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Image: Apple

Summary created by Smart Answers AI

In summary:

• Macworld reports that Apple’s iPhone and iPad have received NATO approval for handling restricted-level classified information across all 32 member nations.
• These devices are uniquely certified as the only consumer products approved for classified data without requiring special additional software installations.
• The approval follows a comprehensive security audit by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security, highlighting Apple’s advanced built-in security features.

While we wait for a new iPhone possibly coming next week, Apple has issued a press release to let everyone know that the iPhone and iPad (when running iOS/iPadOS 26 or later) have now been approved by NATO for use with restricted-level information.

The German government previously approved these devices for use with its own classified information. Now, following an audit by the German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, or BSI), they are approved for such uses in all 32 NATO member nations.

Ivan Krstić, Apple’s vice president of Security Engineering and Architecture, said, “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.”

Apple says this makes the iPhone and iPad the only consumer devices approved for such use without any special software installed. The security provided by iOS/iPadOS 26 and Apple’s hardware alone is sufficient when using the appropriate options enabled. Handling classified information typically requires bespoke devices, custom operating systems, or additional custom security software.

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Author: Jason Cross, Senior Editor, Macworld

Jason has written about technology for more than 25 years - first in the gaming press, then focusing on enthusiast PCs and general technology. He enjoys learning how complicated technology works and explaining it in a way anyone can understand.

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