John Ternos is the next CEO of Apple and will be in charge of the company.
Tim Cook's tenure at Apple is nearing its end. The departure of the current CEO wouldn't surprise Apple enthusiasts, as rumors have been circulating since November of last year that Apple's board and senior management had begun laying the groundwork for Cook's successor. Furthermore, in early 2026, speculation gained momentum that John Ternos would take over the company's hardware design as soon as possible.
All the rumors pointed to Ternos as the next CEO, but in an unexpected surprise, Cook stated in an interview with "Good Morning America" that he would not retire from Apple because his commitment to it was still solid, as he loved his job "very much": "I joined Apple 28 years ago and have enjoyed every single day since. I can't imagine life without Apple."
His comments put an end to any rumors about Turnus coming to power, although Apple recently confirmed that Tim Cook will step down as CEO next September, when John Turnus takes over at the company.
Apple, based in Cupertino, announced in an official statement that John Tennos, the current senior vice president of hardware engineering, will assume the role of the company's new CEO effective September 1st.
Until then, Tim Cook will continue in his role as CEO through the summer, working closely with Tinos to ensure a smooth transition, and will then continue to support the various divisions of the company as executive chairman of the board.
This change, which was unanimously approved by the board, is part of a long-term and carefully designed management succession plan. Ternos will also join the board on September 1.
John Ternos joined Apple's product design team in 2011, then became vice president of hardware engineering in 2014, and joined the executive team as senior vice president of hardware engineering in 2021.
Throughout his career, Ternos oversaw the hardware engineering of a diverse range of devices across all categories and played a pivotal role in launching numerous product lines, including the iPad and AirPods, as well as multiple generations of iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch products. Furthermore, his work on Macs contributed to making them "the most powerful and popular category in their 40-year history."
On the other hand, Ternos spearheaded a significant part of Apple's strategy in areas such as durability and reliability, introducing new technologies that gave the products a modern feel. They also contributed significantly to the innovation of materials and device design to reduce Apple's carbon footprint, including the development of a new recycled aluminum composite that was introduced across several product lines, the use of 3D-printed titanium, and innovations in repairability that extended the lifespan of various Apple products.
According to Cook, "John Ternos has the mind of an engineer, the spirit of an innovator, and the determination to lead with integrity and honor," adding that he is "the right person to lead Apple into the future." For his part, Ternos stated in the press release that he is "extremely grateful for this opportunity": "Having dedicated most of my career to Apple, I have been fortunate to work with Steve Jobs and to have Tim Cook as my mentor. I am honored to take on this role, and I promise to lead in accordance with the values and vision that have defined this remarkable place for half a century."