Apple announced on April 20, 2026, that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of the board and John Ternus will succeed him as chief executive officer, effective September...
John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering and a 25-year veteran of the company, will take over 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.
Apple announced on April 20, 2026, that Tim Cook will become executive chairman of the board and John Ternus will succeed him as chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2026. The leadership transition, approved unanimously by Apple’s Board of Directors, follows a long-term succession planning process. Cook will remain CEO through the summer to work closely with Ternus on a smooth handover.
John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering and a 25-year veteran of the company, will take over as CEO. He has worked at Apple since 2001 and has served under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. Ternus joined the board of directors effective September 1, 2026, the same day he assumes the CEO role.
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.
Tim Cook
Cook expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Apple’s team and praised Ternus as the right person to lead the company into the future. He stated that Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and honor.
I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward.
John Ternus
Ternus said he feels fortunate to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as his mentor. He emphasized his commitment to advancing Apple’s mission under his leadership.
Background on the Leadership Change
Arthur Levinson, who has served as Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become the company’s lead independent director on September 1, 2026. This change accompanies the transition in which Ternus joins the board and Cook assumes the role of executive chairman.
John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.
Tim Cook
Cook highlighted Ternus’s vision and character as key reasons for his confidence in the incoming CEO. The outgoing CEO noted that he looks forward to working closely with Ternus during the transition and in his new role as executive chairman.
Context and Expectations
I think one of the most, if not the most, profound change at Apple certainly in our products over the last 20 years is how we now do so many of those technologies in house.
Who Is John Ternus, Apple's New CEO?
John Ternus, in a CNBC interview on December 23, 2023
Ternus has previously emphasized Apple’s shift toward developing technologies in house rather than relying on outside companies, which he believes has allowed the company to push the envelope in innovation. He expressed excitement about current and future products, noting significant opportunity for advancement.
External Perspectives
It seems like a natural transition and John Ternus has really been groomed for this.
Brian Tong, host of the Apple Bitz podcast
Brian Tong, who has covered Apple for 18 years, told USA TODAY that the transition appears natural and that Ternus has been prepared for the role. He noted that Ternus understands how Apple has evolved over time.
Will they be able to crack that nut of the foldable phone, the wearable glasses or artificial intelligence, which up until this point they’ve failed to do?
Brian Tong, host of the Apple Bitz podcast
Tong also highlighted the pressure on Ternus to deliver on major innovation challenges, including foldable phones, wearable glasses, and artificial intelligence—areas where Apple has not yet succeeded despite ongoing efforts.
As of the announcement date, Apple’s board confirmed that the succession plan was the result of thoughtful, long-term planning. The company stated that Cook will continue to assist with certain aspects of the business, including engaging with policymakers around the world, in his role as executive chairman.
