Apple Announces Tim Cook to Step Down as CEO; John Ternus Named Successor
Apple announced that Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman effective September 1, 2026, and John Ternus, SVP of Hardware Engineering, will become the company's next CEO. Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran focused on product development, will lead the company following Cook's 15-year tenure that grew Apple into a $4 trillion business.
Major Leadership Transition at Apple
Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors and John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple's next chief executive officer effective on September 1, 2026. The transition, which was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors, follows a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process.
Timeline and Details
Cook will continue in his role as CEO through the summer as he works closely with Ternus on a smooth transition. As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world.
About the New CEO
Ternus came to Apple in 2001 after a four-year stint as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. At Apple, he worked on the product design team, and in 2013 he became a vice president of hardware engineering. Ternus has worked on Apple's design team since 2001, and the company said he was "instrumental" to product lines such as the iPhone and AirPods.
Challenges Ahead
For Ternus, perhaps the most critical aspect of his new job will be pushing the company deeper into artificial intelligence, where it's lagged many of its megacap peers. While the iPhone 17 has done well, Apple has faced criticism from investors and technologists for a perceived lack of cutting-edge AI technology.