Tim Cook will step down as Apple’s chief executive officer on September 1, 2026, ending a 15-year tenure at the helm of the technology giant.
Apple announced the transition in April, naming John Ternus, its senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, as Cook’s successor.
Under the board-approved plan, Cook will become executive chairman, while Ternus will join the board and take over as CEO. Arthur Levinson, Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become lead independent director.
Cook became CEO on August 24, 2011, succeeding co-founder Steve Jobs. He joined Apple in March 1998 as senior vice president for Worldwide Operations and later became chief operating officer.
Before taking the top job, Cook played a key role in overhauling Apple’s manufacturing and supply chain, streamlining production and tightening inventory management. He also ran much of the company’s day-to-day operations during Jobs’ medical absences.
Under Cook, Apple expanded its product and services portfolio with offerings including the Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Vision Pro, alongside services such as Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud and Apple TV.
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Apple’s market capitalisation grew from about $350 billion when Cook became CEO to roughly $4 trillion, while annual revenue rose from $108 billion in fiscal 2011 to more than $416 billion in fiscal 2025.
Cook also oversaw Apple’s transition to its own silicon technology, giving the company greater control over the chips powering its devices.
Ternus, 50, joined Apple in 2001 and became vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013 before rising to senior vice president in 2021. He has overseen hardware engineering across several major product lines.
He will take over as Apple faces intensifying competition in artificial intelligence and rapid shifts across the technology sector.
His first major test will come quickly, with Apple’s September product event scheduled for September 9, just eight days after he assumes the CEO role.
Cook will remain at Apple as executive chairman, continuing to support selected areas of the business, including engagement with policymakers.
The September 1 handover will end Cook’s day-to-day leadership and usher in a new era under Ternus.