Apple is preparing for a major leadership handover, with Tim Cook due to leave his position as CEO and take on the role of executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors. John Ternus, currently the company’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will step in as Apple’s next chief executive officer on September 1, 2026.
The change, unanimously approved by Apple’s Board of Directors, is said to be part of a long-planned approach aimed at supporting the company’s stability while positioning it for continued growth.
In a company statement, Apple noted that Cook will remain in place as CEO through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure an orderly handover ahead of the September start date.
As executive chairman, Cook will continue to support Apple on key priorities, including work that involves engagement with policymakers globally.
Reflecting on his time leading the company, Cook said: “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.”
He also praised his successor, adding: “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.
“I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.”
Ternus also commented on the appointment, saying: “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,”
“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.”
Cook first joined Apple in 1998, building a reputation as a key operator before taking over as CEO in 2011. Over the years, he has presided over the rollout of major devices and platforms, from Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro to services including iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and Apple Music.
During his leadership, Apple’s market capitalization rose from about $350 billion to $4 trillion—an increase of more than 1,000%. Annual revenue also surged, growing from roughly $108 billion when Cook became CEO to more than $416 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.
Ternus, who began at Apple in 2001 as part of the product design team, moved into a vice president role in Hardware Engineering in 2013. He later joined Apple’s executive team in 2021 as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, where he became a central figure in major product decisions.
Across his time at the company, he has led hardware engineering efforts spanning iPad and AirPods, along with multiple generations of iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Apple also highlighted his influence on the Mac lineup, pointing to gains in capability and worldwide popularity during the platform’s 40-year history—including the introduction of the MacBook Neo, a new laptop intended to make the Mac experience easier to access for more people globally.