Apple says iPhone and iPad cleared for NATO classified information, but here's the catch

Apple has scored a major security milestone: the iPhone and iPad are now officially cleared for NATO Restricted-level classified information. In plain English, that means these consumer devices can now handle data deemed confidential by the world’s largest defence alliance.

It’s a first for any consumer mobile product. Apple says both iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 have met NATO’s stringent Information Assurance requirements after extensive testing and evaluation by the German government. That makes iPhones and iPads the only off-the-shelf gadgets certified to be secure enough for restricted NATO data.

But here’s the catch, only devices running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are approved. If you’re using an older version of the software, your iPhone might be secure, but it’s not “classified-grade” secure.

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Security built in, not bolted on

Apple emphasised that this isn’t about special hardware or a secret military version of the iPhone. The devices achieving certification are exactly the same as the ones on shop shelves today.

“Apple designs security into all of its products from the start,” the company said. “This unique approach allows Apple users to benefit from industry-leading security protections such as best-in-class encryption, biometric authentication with Face ID, and groundbreaking features like Memory Integrity Enforcement.”

Apple added that these features “are now recognised as meeting stringent government and international security requirements, even for restricted data.”

Ivan Krstić, Apple’s vice president of security, called the recognition a turning point. “This achievement recognises that Apple has transformed how security is traditionally delivered,” he said. “Prior to iPhone, secure devices were only available to sophisticated government and enterprise organisations after a massive investment in bespoke security solutions. 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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The fine print: iOS 26 or nothing

While the announcement sounds like a blanket clearance, there’s one important limitation. Only the latest software versions, iOS 26 for iPhone and iPadOS 26 for iPad, are listed on the official NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue.

That means if you’re not on the newest system, your iPhone won’t make the cut for handling restricted information. The listing covers built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, and Contacts, which can now securely access classified data under NATO’s protection standards.

So yes, your iPhone might be NATO-ready, but only if it’s up to date. For everyone else, it’s just another reminder that Apple’s obsession with software updates isn’t just about emojis and widgets anymore, it’s about global security.