Apple Names John Ternus as New CEO, Tim Cook to Transition to Executive Chairman in September

Apple has announced that John Ternus, the company’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become its new CEO, effective in September. The appointment follows a letter from current CEO Tim Cook, who will transition to the role of executive chairman.

In the letter, Cook described Ternus as “a brilliant engineer and thinker who has spent the past 25 years building the Apple products our users love so much, obsessed with every detail, focused on every possible way we can make something better, bolder, more beautiful, and more meaningful. He is the perfect person for the job.”

Ternus has been with Apple for 24 years and has led the hardware engineering division since 2013. His leadership has been pivotal in key transitions, including the company’s shift to Apple silicon and the development of iconic products such as the iPhone, iPad, Macs, and AirPods. His prominence at Apple’s keynotes has grown, making him one of the company’s most visible executives.

At 42, Ternus is the youngest top executive at Apple. His engineering background has drawn comparisons to Apple’s early “product guy” leadership under Steve Jobs, a contrast to the more business-focused approach associated with Cook’s tenure. Fast Company noted in November that Ternus has become a more visible presence at Apple events, including unveiling the iPhone Air in early 2025 and introducing the M1 chip in 2020.

Ternus began his career at Virtual Research Systems, where he worked on VR headsets for four years before joining Apple in 2001. By 2013, he was overseeing Mac and iPad development, and in 2020, he took on additional responsibility for iPhone hardware. His name has frequently topped lists of potential successors amid ongoing discussions about Apple’s leadership transition.

Cook, who became CEO in 2011 following Steve Jobs’ retirement, has overseen one of the most successful business tenures in modern history. Under his leadership, Apple’s market value grew from approximately $300 billion to over $4 trillion. In his letter, Cook expressed confidence in Ternus’ future leadership, stating:

“This company will reach such incredible heights under his leadership, and you will feel his impact in every bit of delight and discovery that grows out of the products and services to come. I can’t wait for you to get to know him like I do.”