Apple's biggest leadership change in 25 years: John Ternus takes over as CEO

Apple has named John Ternus as its next CEO, effective September 1, 2026, ending Tim Cook's 15-year tenure in the role. According to Apple's newsroom announcement, Cook will transition to executive chairman of Apple's board, whilst Johny Srouji takes on an expanded role as Chief Hardware Officer.

Who is John Ternus?

John Ternus currently serves as Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. He has led the development of key products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac lines.

Ternus has regularly appeared in Apple's hardware presentations, often on stage during product launches to explain technical innovations.

His appointment signals Apple's continued focus on hardware innovation, particularly as the company pushes into AI-powered devices and sustainable manufacturing.

What will Tim Cook's new role involve?

Tim Cook won't be leaving Apple entirely — he'll become executive chairman of the company's board, a newly created position. The transition moves Cook out of day-to-day operations while keeping him on the board.

Cook has led Apple for 15 years, a period that included the launch of the Apple Watch and AirPods, as well as the company's pivot into services.

An executive chairman role typically involves oversight of strategic initiatives, board governance, and succession planning.

Johny Srouji's expanded hardware role

Johny Srouji, previously Senior VP of Hardware Technologies, has been promoted to Chief Hardware Officer — a role that consolidates Apple's entire hardware engineering division under his leadership. According to Apple's official announcement, this includes silicon development, system architecture, and manufacturing oversight.

Srouji has been instrumental in Apple's chip development success, leading the creation of the A-series processors that power iPhones and iPads, as well as the M-series chips in Macs.

The restructuring places Apple's hardware engineering division under a single executive.

What this means for Apple's future

Ternus becomes the first engineer to lead Apple as CEO since Steve Jobs.

Ternus has led hardware engineering during Apple's ongoing work on AI features and recent iPhone, iPad, and Mac products.

Apple has not announced any changes to its product line-up or release cadence. continuity in Apple's product philosophy — The company's record-breaking services revenue suggests the business model remains robust regardless of who's in charge.

Leadership transition timeline

The executive transition will take place over the next four months, with John Ternus officially becoming Apple CEO on September 1, 2026. Tim Cook will simultaneously transition to executive chairman on the same date.

Johny Srouji's promotion to Chief Hardware Officer takes effect immediately, allowing him to begin consolidating Apple's hardware engineering teams ahead of the CEO transition. Apple has not announced any other executive changes at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new CEO of Apple?

John Ternus, currently Senior VP of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple's new CEO on September 1, 2026.

When will John Ternus become Apple CEO?

John Ternus will officially take over as Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, replacing Tim Cook after his 15-year tenure.

What will Tim Cook's new role be?

Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board, a newly created position that allows him to remain involved in strategic decisions.

What is Johny Srouji's new role at Apple?

Johny Srouji has been promoted to Chief Hardware Officer, consolidating all of Apple's hardware engineering teams under his leadership with immediate effect.

Why did Apple choose John Ternus as CEO?

Ternus has over 20 years at Apple, leading hardware development for iPhone, iPad, and Mac products. His engineering background aligns with Apple's continued focus on hardware innovation and AI development.

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