Tim Cook stepping down this year, John Ternus confirmed as next Apple CEO

Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down, and John Ternus is taking over. The CEO transition has quietly been underway for some time now. Starting today, the transition is happening publicly and will be complete this fall.

Tim Cook will become Apple Executive Chairman as John Ternus becomes Chief Executive Officer

Apple says Tim Cook will become executive chairman of the board. Ternus, who was previously hardware engineering chief, will be replaced by Johny Srouji in an expanded capacity and Tom Marieb more directly.

The CEO change will occur later this year with Ternus set to take over for Cook on September 1, 2026. Srouji and Marieb take over for Ternus today ahead of the CEO transition.

Apple confirmed the news in an Apple Newsroom post announcing the CEO transition.

Apple 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 on September 1, 2026. The transition, which was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors, follows a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process.

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.

Notice how that last line describes Cook’s expected work as executive chairman: engaging with policymakers around the world. Diplomacy has been a speciality of Cook’s over the last decade.

Apple’s announcement includes this quote from Cook:

“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 Cook. “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.”

And this quote from Ternus:

“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” said Ternus. “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.”

Tim Cook has run Apple since 2011

Today’s announcement is a huge shift for Apple. Tim Cook has been CEO of Apple since taking over for Steve Jobs in 2011. Jobs passed away later that year.

During Cook’s tenure, Apple has grown its market capitalization from just under $350 billion to today’s $4 trillion valuation.

Cook oversaw every iPhone release since the iPhone 4S in October 2011, the introduction of Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Pay, Apple Vision Pro, and the Mac’s transition from Intel to Apple silicon.

He also steered the company deeper into services with dramatic App Store revenue growth, the launch of Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple TV, and more.

Prior to becoming CEO, Cook worked closely with Jobs as Apple’s Chief Operating Officer.

Cook’s final day as Apple CEO will be August 31, 2026. Ternus takes over on September 1, 2026.

As for Ternus, Apple’s financial disclosure document includes this description of the next Apple CEO:

Mr. Ternus, 50, joined Apple in 2001 and assumed his current position in 2021. Mr. Ternus’s previous positions at Apple include Vice President, Hardware Engineering. Apple believes Mr. Ternus will bring to the Board extensive executive leadership experience in the technology industry, including engineering, product design and innovation.

You can read the full announcement in Apple’s Newsroom post here.