US tech giant Apple has revealed that John Ternus, the current senior vice president of hardware engineering, will take over as chief executive officer from Tim Cook on September 1, 2026. Cook, who has been at the helm of Apple since 2011, will assume the role of executive chairman to engage with global policymakers and handle specific company affairs.
Arthur Levinson, Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will transition to the position of lead independent director on the same date. Ternus will also be appointed to the board of directors starting September 1.
Expressing his gratitude, Cook stated, “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple,” while commending Ternus for his engineering acumen, innovative spirit, and leadership qualities.
Ternus, aged 50, began his journey at Apple’s product design team in 2001, steadily climbing the ranks to become a senior vice president in 2021. He has been instrumental in overseeing hardware engineering for Apple’s entire product range, contributing significantly to the development of products like the iPad, AirPods, various iPhone generations, and Mac devices.
Acknowledging the opportunity to advance Apple’s mission, Ternus expressed his humility in assuming the new role. Meanwhile, under Cook’s guidance, Apple’s market value surged from around $350 billion to $4 trillion, with annual revenues soaring to over $416 billion, notably driven by the services division generating more than $100 billion annually.
Cook had previously dispelled rumors about his resignation, emphasizing his dedication to leading the company and debunking speculations about stepping down. In an interview with ABC News, he refuted reports suggesting his retirement, affirming his ongoing commitment to Apple’s leadership.
