After 15 years at the helm of the world’s most valuable company, Tim Cook is handing over the keys.
Apple officially announced today that Cook will step down as CEO, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus taking over on September 1, 2026.
Cook isn’t disappearing from Apple entirely. He’ll move into the role of executive chairman, where he’ll remain involved in policy discussions and help guide the transition.
It’s a graceful exit for someone who spent more than a decade and a half steering a company that went from successful to something closer to a cultural institution.
Cook Looks Back With Gratitude
In his statement, Cook reflected on what the job has meant to him personally. “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,” he said. “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.”
Cook also made it clear he has full confidence in his successor. “John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor,” he said. “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.”
Who Exactly Is John Ternus?
If you haven’t been following Apple’s internal leadership closely, Ternus might feel like a name out of nowhere.
He’s actually been at Apple for nearly his entire career, spending 25 years working his way up through hardware engineering before landing the top engineering role.
He played a central part in shaping the products sitting in millions of people’s pockets and on their desks right now.
Ternus acknowledged the weight of the moment in his own statement. “Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor,” he said. “It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another.”
He also touched on what drives him going forward. “I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us. 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.”
A Planned Handoff
Apple’s board signed off on the transition, and the company described it as the result of a long-term succession planning process.
So while the official announcement landed today, the groundwork for this change was laid well in advance.
Current board chair Arthur Levinson will shift to the role of lead independent director once the change takes effect.
Cook will officially remain CEO through the summer, giving Ternus time to join Apple’s Board of Directors before taking over the top job in September.
For Apple watchers, the next few months will be worth paying close attention to as the transition unfolds and the company’s new direction takes shape under fresh leadership.
