Apple Inc. announced on April 21, 2026, that its Board of Directors has appointed John Ternus as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026. Ternus, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will also join the Apple Board of Directors at that time. Tim Cook, who has served as CEO since August 2011, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
The transition marks the first change in the CEO position at Apple in fifteen years. In an official statement released by the company, the Board of Directors cited a comprehensive, long-term succession planning process as the catalyst for the move. Arthur Levinson, Apple’s Chairman of the Board, stated that the leadership change ensures continuity while positioning a new generation of leadership to guide the company’s hardware and software integration.
John Ternus joined Apple’s Product Design team in 2001 and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2021. During his tenure, Ternus has been a central figure in the development of every generation of iPad, the latest iPhone lineups, and the transition of the Mac to Apple Silicon. As Senior Vice President, he has overseen all hardware engineering efforts, including the launch of the Apple Vision Pro and the expansion of the company’s proprietary chip architecture. He has been a frequent presenter at Apple’s keynote events, often detailing the technical specifications of new hardware releases.
Tim Cook’s move to Executive Chairman follows a period of significant financial expansion for the Cupertino-based technology giant. Since taking over from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011, Cook oversaw Apple’s growth from a 350 billion dollar valuation to a peak exceeding 3 trillion dollars. Under his leadership, Apple’s annual revenue grew from 108 billion dollars in fiscal year 2011 to 383 billion dollars in fiscal year 2023. Cook also spearheaded the company’s push into services, which now accounts for approximately 22 percent of total revenue.
In his new role as Executive Chairman, Cook is expected to remain active in the company’s long-term strategic planning and supply chain management, while Ternus takes over day-to-day operations and product development oversight. The company confirmed that the rest of the executive team, including Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi, will remain in their current roles reporting to the new CEO.
Apple’s announcement included a statement from Cook, who expressed confidence in Ternus’s ability to lead the company. Cook noted that Ternus’s deep technical expertise and his history of managing complex product cycles were key factors in the Board’s decision. The transition period will span the next four months, concluding just prior to the company’s traditional autumn product launch cycle. This timeline is intended to facilitate a smooth transfer of responsibilities across Apple’s global operations.