John Ternus, the 51-year-old senior vice president of hardware engineering at Apple, has been named the company’s next CEO, effective September 1, 2026, according to reports from Fortune and HELLO! Magazine. Tim Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, will transition to the role of executive chairman of the board and will remain in the CEO position through the summer to oversee the transition, according to a statement from Apple.

The Transition from Tim Cook

Tim Cook, who first joined Apple in 1998, has led the company for over 15 years, steering it through a period of rare growth and innovation. In an official release, Cook stated, ‘It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company.’ He added, ‘I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world.’

Cook also praised his successor, saying, ‘John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor.’ This sentiment aligns with long-standing industry speculation that Ternus was the most likely candidate to succeed Cook, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has reported accurately on Apple for years thanks to sources within the company.

John Ternus’ Background and Contributions

John Ternus has spent over two decades at Apple, joining the company in 2001 as a member of the product design team. He was to vice president of hardware engineering in 2013 and to senior vice president in 2021. According to his LinkedIn profile, Ternus has overseen hardware engineering for virtually every major product in Apple’s current portfolio, including every generation of the iPad, the latest iPhone lineup, and the AirPods.

Ternus also played a major role in the Mac’s transition to Apple silicon and was instrumental in the recent introduction of the new iPhone Air and the Apple Watch. He was also behind the launch of the new MacBook Neo, the most affordable version of the product on the market, according to HELLO! Magazine.

Before joining Apple, Ternus worked as a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His deep technical expertise and institutional knowledge have made him a key figure in Apple’s product development and innovation strategy.

The Speculation and Selection Process

The speculation around Ternus’ potential promotion intensified after Apple’s chief operating officer, Jeff Williams, stepped down from operational responsibilities in July 2025. With Williams out of contention, industry observers noted that Ternus emerged as the most likely heir apparent to Cook’s leadership role.

Gurman highlighted that Ternus’ long tenure at Apple, combined with his engineering background and leadership in product development, positioned him as the ideal candidate to lead the company into its next phase of growth. His role in recent keynotes, where he introduced major product launches, further solidified his reputation as a trusted leader within the company.

Apple’s decision to promote Ternus follows a long-term strategy of internal succession planning, ensuring that the company remains stable and continues to innovate under new leadership. Cook’s decision to remain as executive chairman until the summer also signals a careful, deliberate transition to ensure continuity in Apple’s operations and strategic direction.

With Ternus now at the helm, Apple is ready to continue its legacy of technological innovation and market leadership, guided by a leader with deep roots in the company’s engineering and product development processes.