Skip to Content

Department of Defense Ready to Approve iOS 6 for High-Security Uses

DOD-logo-vector-RGBThe U.S. Department of Defense is readying a new government approval for iOS devices to be used by military agencies for nonclassified communications. This is apparently a separate approval from the "commercial mobile device implementation plan" that the DoD announced a few months ago.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the certification would not only allow more widespread use of iPhones and iPads across the military, but would signal to other security conscious companies like banks and law firms that these devices are safe to use.

Separately, DISA is expected to rule that Apple's latest operating system, iOS 6, conforms to a different security-requirement guide, these people said. That would allow iPhones and iPads to be used by military agencies for nonclassified communications, like email and Web browsing.

The DoD is also preparing to sign off on Samsung's Galaxy line of phones for similar uses.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
ios 26 4 yellow

Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 4

Monday March 9, 2026 3:50 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to test the iOS 26.4 beta, and the latest update is now available for developers and public beta testers. As testing goes on, there are fewer new features in each beta, but today’s release adds new emoji characters and a few other changes. New Emoji Apple added new emoji characters, including trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca,...
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...

Top Rated Comments

fenderbass146 Avatar
168 months ago
I stopped reading when they said they were approving an Android device.
so you still read the whole thing seeing as thats on the last line.....
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
The DoD is also preparing to sign off on Samsung's Galaxy line of phones for similar uses.

Immediately discredits this article, iOS 6 != hardware. And if they're about to useAndroid for "high security" purposes then i'd assume they have pretty low security requirements.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
This news has zero effect on my life whatsoever.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crisss1205 Avatar
168 months ago
Immediately discredits this article, iOS 6 != hardware. And if they're about to useAndroid for "high security" purposes then i'd assume they have pretty low security requirements.

Samsung's line of Galaxy Phones have something called "Samsung SAFE (http://www.samsung.com/us/business/samsung-for-enterprise/index.html?cid=omc-mb-cph-1112-10000022)" which is not part of Android. Like iOS, SAFE provides:

* Advanced Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync features
* On-device AES 256-bit encryption
* VPN connectivity
* Top-tier, multivendor Mobile Device Management support
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G51989 Avatar
168 months ago
I stopped reading when they said they were approving an Android device.

Yes, I'm sure you know more about the security on Samsung devices than the US department of defense.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flottenheimer Avatar
168 months ago
So, where do I get a "United States of America — Department of Defence"-approved sticker and a hardcore milistyle cover for my iPhone?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)