Tim Cook announces roadmap for stepping down as Apple CEO and his successor, John Ternus.
Apple has officially confirmed that John Ternus will replace Tim Cook as CEO starting in September 2026, while Cook will move into the role of Executive Chairman of the Board.
Apple has just made an important announcement regarding a major change in the company's top leadership. Accordingly, CEO Tim Cook will officially step down from his executive role to assume the position of Executive Chairman of the Board. His successor is John Ternus, currently serving as Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.
The power transition process had begun quietly beforehand and is now being made public to be completed this fall. However, Tim Cook will retain the title of CEO until the end of August 2026 to ensure stability for the group's strategic operations.
Transition roadmap and new leadership team at Apple
Apple's board of directors confirmed that the appointment of John Ternus is the result of a long-term and carefully considered succession plan. Going forward, Mr. Cook will work closely with Ternus to transition key areas of work. As Executive Chairman, Tim Cook will continue to oversee strategic areas and maintain relationships with policymakers globally.
Along with the CEO change, Apple's senior leadership team has also undergone notable adjustments. Johny Srouji will take on a broader role, replacing Ternus, while Tom Marieb will also directly take over other key positions from this point onward.
Tim Cook's legacy after 15 years at the helm.
Tim Cook took over Apple from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011. Over the past nearly 15 years, he has transformed Apple from a company with a market capitalization of $350 billion into a technology giant worth $4 trillion. Under his leadership, Apple has not only achieved success with its iPhone line but has also expanded its ecosystem to include the Apple Watch, AirPods, and most recently, the Apple Vision Pro virtual reality headset.
In particular, Tim Cook spearheaded the historic transition from Intel chips to Apple's own Silicon Valley architecture for the Mac line, while also driving explosive growth in the services sector, including the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV.
Tim Cook's final day as CEO is expected to be August 31, 2026. Immediately afterward, John Ternus will officially take over the position on September 1, 2026, ushering in a new chapter for Apple's future.
