Apple has named John Ternus, its Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, as the company's next CEO. Ternus will take over from Tim Cook on September 1, 2026, when Cook steps down to become executive chairman. The transition marks the end of Cook's 14-year tenure leading the tech giant, with the two set to collaborate on the handover over the summer months to ensure continuity.

Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 and has led the hardware engineering division since 2013. Under his supervision, the company developed the iPhone, iPad, Mac lineup, AirPods, and Vision Pro. His most notable achievement was leading Apple's controversial shift from Intel processors to custom Apple Silicon in MacBooks—a multi-year transition that required significant software optimization and won over skeptical consumers.

The succession represents a deliberate choice by Apple's board to elevate a technologist with deep product expertise. Ternus has gained visibility through his expanded role in product roadmaps and recent appearances at launch events. Cook described leading Apple as "the greatest privilege of my life" in a statement, expressing confidence in Ternus's ability to guide the company forward.