John Ternus Takes Over as Apple CEO, Tim Cook to Step Down

Apple has officially announced that long-time hardware chief John Ternus will become the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), taking over from the current CEO, Tim Cook. We have reported that Apple’s succession planning is underway as the company considers who will lead one of the largest and most powerful companies in the world. As we reported late last year, John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, has been selected as the prime candidate for the new role. He has been with Apple since 2001 and has led the hardware division since 2013. Under his leadership, the hardware engineering efforts behind the iPhone, iPad, the entire Mac lineup, AirPods, Vision Pro, and countless prototypes have been developed. One of his most impressive feats is leading the transition of Apple MacBooks from Intel-based designs to custom, in-house developed Apple Silicon SoCs.

Interestingly, John Ternus will officially become CEO on September 1, 2026, when Tim Cook steps down to become Apple’s executive chairman. Ternus and Cook will collaborate on the transition over the summer months to ensure that Apple’s long-term goals remain a priority. “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company. I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world,” said Tim Cook.

John Ternus has emerged as the most visible internal contender to lead Apple in the coming months. His expanded role in product roadmaps and recent prominence at launches have raised his profile within the company, providing the board with a technologist-first option. “Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor. It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another. I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century,” noted John Ternus.