Apple now has a new chief executive. After nearly 15 years as CEO, Tim Cook stepped down from the role, with John Ternus taking charge on September 1, 2026. Cook will continue at Apple as executive chairman of the company’s board of directors.
The leadership change marks a major transition for Apple, with Ternus taking charge after more than two decades at the company. In an emotional post, Cook thanked the Apple community and said his “gratitude is endless”. In a memo to employees, he said he would miss leading Apple but felt confident about handing over the role to Ternus. Cook described his successor as “brilliant and wonderful and capable.”
John Ternus is a long-time Apple executive with more than two decades of experience at the company. He joined Apple in 2001 as part of its product design team. In 2013, he became vice president of Hardware Engineering and was later promoted to senior vice president in 2021, joining Apple’s executive leadership team.
Before joining Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
During his time at Apple, Ternus worked on some of the company’s biggest products. His work covered the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods. He contributed to new product launches as well as updates to existing devices.
Ternus also played an important role in strengthening Apple’s Mac lineup. His team worked on improvements to products such as AirPods, including better noise cancellation and hearing-related features.
His responsibilities also extended to making Apple products more durable and environmentally friendly. His work included developing a recycled aluminum compound used across several product lines. He also contributed to the use of 3D-printed titanium in the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Also Read: Tim Cook Bids Farewell to Apple After 15-Year Run
With Ternus now at the helm, Apple enters a new phase under a leader who spent much of his career working on its hardware. His long experience inside the company gives him a detailed understanding of Apple's products and engineering teams.
Apple announced the transition in April 2026 as part of a long-term succession plan. The company confirmed that Cook would become executive chairman while Ternus would take over as CEO on September 1, 2026.