Apple CEO Tim Cook to Step Down in September 2026, Succeeded by John Ternus

Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down from the job effective September 1, 2026. As has long been rumored, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus will become Apple's new CEO. While Cook will no longer serve as CEO, he will remain with the company in a different capacity as executive chairman. "As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world," Apple says.

In a statement, Cook offered the usual positive words about his time as CEO: "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."

Ternus added his own statement in the announcement: "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." Ternus will also join the company's board of directors.

Cook took the CEO role in 2011, succeeding Steve Jobs. He joined Apple in 1998 and became chief operating officer in 2005. While Apple introduced some notable new products during Cook's tenure as CEO (such as AirPods), his era was not as known for impactful new product category launches. Rather, Cook may be best remembered for a period of dramatic growth for the business, and for his role in establishing and maintaining an unprecedented international supply chain. He will also be remembered for the introduction of Apple Silicon, a transition that remade the Mac platform. Apple Silicon was driven in large part by Johnny Srouji, who will become chief hardware officer in tandem with the CEO transition.

Ternus joined Apple's product design team in 2001 and became VP of Hardware Engineering in 2013. Onlookers have long speculated that he could succeed Cook. At the most recent Apple event unveiling the new MacBook Neo, Ternus was in the presenting role that was normally reserved for Cook.