John Ternus to Succeed Tim Cook as New CEO of Apple

Apple has appointed John Ternus as its next Chief Executive, succeeding Tim Cook on 1 September 2026. 

A 25-year Apple veteran who currently leads Hardware Engineering, John steps into the top job as Cook transitions to Executive Chairman, focusing on select areas of the business while continuing to engage policymakers worldwide. 

The change in leadership comes as Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary this month and almost six months after the Financial Times report on Tim leaving.

The two leaders will work closely through the summer to ensure a smooth handover.

A legacy of unprecedented growth

Tim, who became CEO in 2011 after the departure of the late Steve Jobs, oversaw a period of sustained expansion and record-breaking market performance. 

During his tenure, Apple’s market capitalisation increased more than twentyfold, from the first company to reach a US$1tn valuation to later hitting US$4tn. 

Apple now operates in more than 200 countries with more than 500 retail stores, counts 2.5 billion active devices globally and has grown its headcount by 100,000.

“Being trusted to lead such an extraordinary company has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Tim said in a company statement. 

“I love Apple with all of my being… John has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator and the heart to lead with integrity and with honour… without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.”

The hardware veteran

John joined Apple’s executive team in 2021 as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering and has helped steer hardware across multiple flagship product lines, including the introduction of iPad and AirPods, as well as many generations of iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch. 

He is credited with guiding the Mac to become “more powerful and more popular globally than at any time in its 40-year history,” and driving AirPods’ evolution by pairing active noise cancellation with a hearing health system that enables the earbuds to function as over-the-counter hearing aids.

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

“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 and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”