John Ternus has officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Apple, succeeding Tim Cook after his 15-year tenure at the helm of the technology giant. The leadership transition took effect on September 1, 2026, following a succession plan approved by Apple’s board.
Ternus, who previously served as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, joined the company in 2001 and has played a key role in the development of several major Apple products. His appointment places a hardware-focused engineer in charge as the company faces growing pressure to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence and develop its next generation of products.
Cook, who became Apple CEO in 2011 after succeeding the late Steve Jobs, has now moved into the position of executive chairman of the company’s board. He is expected to remain involved in selected areas of Apple’s operations, including engagement with policymakers around the world.
Ternus takes charge at a critical period for Apple, with artificial intelligence emerging as one of the biggest challenges facing the company. He will also oversee the company’s upcoming product cycle, including a major September 9 launch event expected to feature the next iPhone generation.
The transition marks the end of one of the longest CEO tenures in Apple’s history and begins a new chapter under Ternus, whose technical background and experience leading hardware development are expected to shape the company’s next phase.
