Tim Cook's tenure as Apple CEO ended on August 31, 2026, after 15 years leading the company since 2011. John Ternus, Apple's former Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, officially became CEO on September 1, 2026, while Cook transitions to the role of executive chairman.
Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001 and was promoted to head hardware engineering in 2021, was named CEO-designate back in April 2026 following a board-approved succession process. As chairman, Cook will continue managing Apple's relationships with the U.S. government and Chinese officials while supporting Ternus during the handover. Cook said he "can't imagine" the company not remaining central to his life, even as he plans more time outdoors and at his Palm Springs home.
Ternus's first major test arrives quickly: he will lead Apple's "Surprise and shine" event on September 9, 2026. The transition marks the end of one of the most closely watched succession plans in corporate America and puts hardware engineering leadership at the helm of the world's most valuable company for the first time in over a decade.