Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO; Engineer John Ternus to Take Over
Apple Inc. confirmed on April 21, 2026, that Tim Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, 2026, after 15 years leading the company. John Ternus, currently senior vice president of hardware engineering, will take over. Cook will remain involved as executive chairman. The transition signals a shift from operational leadership to an engineering and AI-focused vision. Ternus, born in 1975 and a University of Pennsylvania mechanical engineering graduate, has been at Apple since 2001. Apple's board unanimously approved the change. Key challenges ahead include closing the AI gap with Google and Microsoft, navigating regulatory scrutiny of the App Store, and managing supply chain risks tied to China.
