iPhone and iPad are the first consumer devices cleared for NATO ‘RESTRICTED’ classification

iPhone and iPad are the first consumer devices cleared for NATO ‘RESTRICTED’ classification

Pierluigi Paganini
February 27, 2026

Apple’s iPhone and iPad are now NATO-approved for classified use, listed in the alliance’s Information Assurance Product Catalogue.

Apple announced that its iPhone and iPad have received NATO approval to handle classified information. The devices are now officially listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC), allowing military personnel to use them securely for sensitive communications and operations.

Devices listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC) are commercial security products built in NATO member states, designed to protect NATO or national classified information. They meet strict information security standards, undergo NATO or national vetting, hold recognized certifications like Common Criteria or INFOSEC approvals, and receive explicit approval for handling classified data, often up to levels such as NATO Restricted or NATO Secret.

iPhone and iPad are the first consumer devices cleared for NATO’s ‘RESTRICTED’ classification.

“iPhone and iPad with indigo configuration provide secure access to Mail, Calendar, and Contacts data using apps built for iPhone and iPad.” reads the announcement. “iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 with indigo configuration is approved for iPhone and iPad up to NATO RESTRICTED. Indigo doesn’t require any special additional software or settings beyond managing and supervising devices using a device management service.”

Apple iNDIGO (iOS Native Devices in Government Operation) is a hardened, government-specific configuration for iOS and iPadOS devices, approved by Germany’s BSI for classified info like VS-NfD (German Secret).

Apple confirmed that the NIAPC “indigo configuration” is just a naming by the German BSI and that standard iPhone and iPad setups received NATO approval.

Apple devices use Touch ID and Face ID for fast, secure access, offer Memory Integrity Enforcement on A19/M5 chips, and support VPNs..

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, iPhone)

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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