Apple Inc. has announced that Tim Cook will step down as CEO after nearly 15 years at the helm, with Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus succeeding him effective September 1, 2026.
Tim Cook
Cook, who joined Apple in 1998 and took over from the late Steve Jobs in 2011, will transition to the role of executive chairman, assisting with global policymaker engagement while remaining involved in key company matters.
The announcement follows months of speculation about Apple’s leadership succession, with Ternus, a 25-year veteran involved in major product launches including the iPad, AirPods, iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch, positioned as the natural choice.
In a statement, Cook described leading Apple as “the greatest privilege of my life,” praising the team’s innovation and dedication to enriching customer lives through world-class products and services.
He lauded Ternus as a “visionary” with “the soul of an innovator,” expressing full confidence in his ability to guide Apple forward.
Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, called Cook his mentor and voiced profound gratitude for the opportunity, stating he is “filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come.”
