Tim Cook will step down as CEO of Apple on September 1, 2026, transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman, according to Apple — the move, confirmed in a statement, marks a planned leadership change with John Ternus taking over as CEO. Cook will remain with the company in a strategic role, focusing on global policy engagement and supporting the new leadership.

Cook’s Health and Long-Term Plans

Cook addressed employees in an all-hands meeting, stating he is ‘healthy,’ with ‘high energy,’ and plans to stay in his new role for ‘a long time,’ according to Bloomberg. He emphasized his commitment to Apple. Saying, ‘Apple will be my top priority, though It’s who I am at my core, and I can’t imagine it any other way.’.

During the meeting. Cook also mentioned he will be available to support Ternus whenever needed. ‘I’ll be here to offer my knowledge and experience and be a sounding board anytime I’m called upon,’ he said. Cook confirmed his plans to remain at Apple through the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold, but will step down before that.

John Ternus, the New CEO

John Ternus, 50, will become Apple’s new CEO on September 1, 2026. He has been with Apple since 2001, initially as part of the Product Design Team, and has held leadership roles including Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering since 2021. In that role. He oversaw hardware development across all Apple products, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch and AirPods.

Ternus described himself as someone with ‘the spirit of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and integrity,’ according to STERN.de. He also noted the privilege of having worked under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Apple’s next chapter.

A Planned Transition

The transition is the result of a long-planned process, according to Apple. Cook will continue as CEO until September 1, 2026, after which he will take on the newly created position of Executive Chairman. Cook said the decision to step down was made possible by three intersecting factors: Apple’s strong business performance, an ‘incredible’ product pipeline, and Ternus being ready for the role.

Apple has grown under Cook’s leadership, reaching a market capitalization of $4 trillion and introducing successful products like the Apple Watch and AirPods. The company’s services business now exceeds $100 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, the latest MacBook Neo model is experiencing high demand, beginning to strain production capacity, according to Xataka.

Apple’s leadership transition echoes similar moves in other tech companies, such as when Reed Hastings stepped down as Netflix CEO in 2023. Cook’s transition reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining stability during a leadership change, ensuring continuity in its global operations and strategic direction.