CUPERTINO, California — Apple announced that John Ternus will become its chief executive officer on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook, who will transition to executive chairman after leading the company for 15 years.
Apple’s board of directors unanimously approved the leadership change as part of a long-term succession plan, the company said. Cook will remain CEO through the summer to oversee the transition.
Ternus, 50, has worked at Apple for 25 years after joining its product design team in 2001. He later became senior vice president of hardware engineering in 2021, where he oversaw development of major products including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods.
He worked under both Steve Jobs and Cook and led recent hardware initiatives, including a redesign of the iPhone line and efforts to strengthen Mac sales.
Cook’s tenure saw Apple expand beyond hardware into services, including the launch of Apple Pay and the company’s broader digital ecosystem. He also led the transition from Intel processors to Apple-designed chips and oversaw the introduction of new product categories.
As executive chairman, Cook will focus on engagement with global policymakers, according to the company.
Ternus will assume leadership as Apple navigates changes in the technology industry, including competition in artificial intelligence and evolving consumer demand. The company said the transition followed a structured succession planning process.