Cupertino, California — June 10, 2026

Apple has officially announced one of the most significant leadership transitions in its history. Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors, while John Ternus, currently senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will take over as the company's next chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2026.

The transition was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors and follows a long-term, carefully planned succession process. Cook will continue to serve as CEO through the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth handover.

Ternus, who has been with Apple for 25 years, joined the company in 2001 and served as VP of Hardware Engineering from 2013 to 2021 before being promoted to SVP of Hardware Engineering. Over the course of his career, his résumé has included major Apple product lines such as iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch, and multiple iPhone generations. Notably, he shepherded Apple's landmark transition to its own silicon chips and the M-series processor line.

In a statement, Cook praised his successor warmly. "John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor," Cook 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."

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Apple. Ternus is inheriting a company where Wall Street's primary concern is no longer hardware design, but whether Apple can establish a credible AI platform before the window for competitive positioning closes. Dan Ives, Managing Director at Wedbush Securities, captured the mood on Wall Street: "Cook leaves a lasting legacy in Cupertino and there will be a lot of pressure on Ternus to produce success out of the gates, especially on the AI front."

The transition also carries symbolic weight this week, as Cook delivered the keynote at WWDC 2026 on June 8, in what is expected to be his final Worldwide Developers Conference as CEO. The conference, centered on artificial intelligence and a revamped Siri, offered a preview of the challenges that await his successor.

Cook is not disappearing from Apple entirely. As executive chairman, he will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world. Meanwhile, Arthur Levinson, who has been Apple's non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become its lead independent director on September 1, 2026.

After 15 years guiding Apple from a $350 billion company to a $3 trillion titan, Tim Cook passes the baton to a hardware veteran who must now prove he can lead in an era defined by artificial intelligence. All eyes will be on John Ternus come September.