Apple Names John Ternus as New CEO as Tim Cook Steps Down

John Ternus became Apple's chief executive officer on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook, who announced his departure on April 20 and officially stepped down on August 31.

Ternus, 52, spent 25 years at Apple and most recently served as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, overseeing the development of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods. Apple's board approved the transition unanimously. Industry analysts described Ternus as a return to product-focused leadership at Apple, contrasting with Cook's background in operations and supply chain management.

Cook transitioned to the role of executive chairman. He will continue to assist with specific company matters, including maintaining relationships with policymakers and the Chinese government, where Apple has significant manufacturing and sales operations.

Several other leadership changes accompanied the transition. Arthur Levinson, who served as non-executive chairman for 15 years, became lead independent director. Johny Srouji was appointed chief hardware officer, taking over the engineering responsibilities Ternus previously held. Phil Schiller also moved toward stepping back from key roles during the realignment.

Ternus's first major product event as CEO is scheduled for September 9, 2026. Analysts are watching to see how he handles the event, which Cook had turned into a signature moment for the company over his 15-year tenure.

Apple's stock has been closely watched since the April announcement. Investors have generally responded positively to the transition, viewing Ternus as a steady hand with deep product knowledge at a time when the company faces increasing competition in AI-powered devices and services.