Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO: John Ternus Named Successor, Effective September 1, 2026

Apple has announced that 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 September 1, 2026.

The transition, unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, follows what Apple describes as a "thoughtful, long-term succession planning process." Cook will continue as CEO through the summer while working closely with Ternus on a smooth handover.

"John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future." — Tim Cook

The Leadership Transition at a Glance

Tim Cook's Legacy: Apple by the Numbers

Cook joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011. His 15-year tenure has been nothing short of transformative. Here's what he built:

Products and Categories Introduced Under Cook

• Apple Watch — now the world's most popular watch
• AirPods — the world's most popular headphones
• Apple Vision Pro — spatial computing
• Apple Silicon — the transition from Intel to Apple-designed chips, delivering industry-leading power efficiency and performance
• Apple Services — iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+

Core Values Under Cook's Leadership

Beyond products and revenue, Cook made Apple's core values central to decision-making:

• Privacy — advocated for privacy as a fundamental human right, setting industry standards for user protection
• Accessibility — pushed for innovation so Apple products work for everyone
• Sustainability — 60%+ carbon footprint reduction below 2015 levels during a period when revenue nearly doubled
• Inclusion — made Apple a place where "everyone can feel they belong and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect"

Who Is John Ternus? Apple's New CEO

Ternus is a 25-year Apple veteran who has quietly shaped many of the products hundreds of millions of people use every day.

Ternus's Key Contributions at Apple

Ternus has overseen hardware engineering across every Apple product category. His fingerprints are on some of Apple's most important products:

• iPad — instrumental in introducing the entire product line
• AirPods — drove advancements to make them the world's best in-ear headphones with unprecedented active noise cancellation and over-the-counter hearing aid capability
• iPhone — oversaw multiple generations including the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and the radically thin iPhone Air
• Mac — helped the category become more powerful and popular globally than at any time in its 40-year history, including the recent MacBook Neo
• Apple Watch — including innovations like 3D-printed titanium in Apple Watch Ultra 3

Innovation in Materials and Sustainability

Ternus has driven much of Apple's innovation in materials and hardware design that reduced the carbon footprint of its products:

• Created a new recycled aluminum compound introduced across multiple product lines
• Pioneered 3D-printed titanium in Apple Watch Ultra 3
• Led innovations in repairability that increased product lifespans
• Focused on reliability and durability, introducing new techniques that made Apple products remarkably resilient

"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. I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come." — John Ternus

Arthur Levinson's Transition

Arthur Levinson, who has served as Apple's non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become lead independent director on September 1, 2026. Cook praised Levinson's "invaluable advice" and "unwavering dedication to the company."

Levinson said of the transition: "Tim's unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world's best company. We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim."

What This Means for Apple's Future

The choice of Ternus — a hardware engineering leader — signals Apple's continued commitment to product innovation as its core strategy. Key implications:

• Hardware-first DNA — Ternus's deep technical knowledge ensures Apple's product quality remains paramount
• Continuity, not disruption — a 25-year insider who worked under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook
• Cook stays involved — as executive chairman, Cook will continue engaging with policymakers globally, maintaining Apple's political and regulatory relationships
• Sustainability focus — Ternus's track record in recycled materials, repairability, and carbon reduction suggests this will remain a priority
• Product pipeline — with Ternus having overseen iPhone Air, MacBook Neo, AirPods hearing aids, and Apple Watch Ultra 3, the near-term product roadmap is in experienced hands

Timeline of Apple's CEO History

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is replacing Tim Cook as Apple CEO?

John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple's next CEO effective September 1, 2026. Ternus has been at Apple for 25 years and has overseen hardware engineering across iPhone, Mac, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch.

When does Tim Cook step down as Apple CEO?

Tim Cook will transition from CEO to executive chairman on September 1, 2026. He will continue as CEO through the summer while working closely with John Ternus on a smooth transition.

What will Tim Cook's new role be at Apple?

Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In this role, he will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world.

What is John Ternus's background at Apple?

Ternus joined Apple's product design team in 2001, became VP of Hardware Engineering in 2013, and joined the executive team as SVP of Hardware Engineering in 2021. He was instrumental in introducing iPad, AirPods, and multiple generations of iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

What did Tim Cook achieve as Apple CEO?

Under Cook's 15-year tenure, Apple grew from $350 billion to $4 trillion market cap (1,000%+ increase), revenue nearly quadrupled from $108B to $416B, the active installed base reached 2.5 billion devices, and he introduced Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Silicon, and grew Services to a $100B+ business.