Apple Inc. has named John Ternus as its next chief executive officer, marking a significant leadership transition at the $4 trillion technology company.
Ternus will take over on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook, who is set to move into the role of executive chairman.
In a statement, Apple said the decision was unanimously approved by its board and is the result of a long-term succession planning process.
Cook will remain in his position through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth transition before formally stepping into his new role.
Who is John Ternus?
Since joining Apple Inc.’s product design team in 2001, John Ternus has steadily risen through the engineering ranks, becoming vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 before moving to the executive team in 2021 as senior vice president.
- Over more than two decades, he has overseen hardware development across nearly every major Apple product category, playing a key role in the introduction of new product lines such as the iPad and AirPods, while also shaping multiple generations of the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.
- His impact is particularly visible in the Mac lineup, where his leadership has helped drive a resurgence in performance and global demand, culminating in newer devices like the MacBook Neo aimed at expanding accessibility.
- Ternus has also led engineering efforts behind Apple’s latest iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 17 series, as well as major upgrades to AirPods, pushing advancements such as industry-leading noise cancellation and features that position the devices as hearing health tools.
- Beyond product launches, he has driven Apple’s focus on durability and reliability, introducing engineering techniques that improve product lifespan.
He has also been central to innovations in materials and sustainability, including the use of recycled aluminum across devices, 3D-printed titanium in newer Apple Watch models, and improvements in repairability designed to extend product life cycles.
Education
Before joining Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems.
He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, grounding his leadership in strong technical expertise.
What you should know
Tim Cook’s transition marks the end of a defining era at Apple, having served as CEO since 2011 after succeeding Steve Jobs.
Over the past decade and a half, he transformed the company into a $4 trillion powerhouse, expanding its revenue from just over $100 billion at the start of his tenure to more than $416 billion by 2025.
Cook reshaped Apple’s business model by building its services division into a $100 billion segment, while also introducing entirely new product categories such as Apple Watch and AirPods.
His leadership extended beyond products, with a strong focus on privacy as a core principle, aggressive environmental targets that cut Apple’s carbon footprint significantly, and a broader global expansion that took the company into over 200 countries and territories.
As executive chairman, he is expected to continue influencing strategy, policy engagement, and long-term direction.
