Cupertino, April 20, 2026

Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down after more than a decade at the helm of the technology giant, with longtime executive John Ternus set to take over as his successor, the company announced today.

The leadership transition marks the end of an era for Apple, which under Cook’s stewardship became the world’s most valuable company and expanded its product lineup beyond the iPhone into wearables, services, and augmented reality. Cook, who succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011, oversaw Apple’s rise to a $3 trillion market capitalization and its pivot toward privacy-focused innovation.

A Smooth Transition

John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, will assume the CEO role immediately. Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 and has played a pivotal role in the development of key products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. His promotion signals continuity in Apple’s leadership, as he has been a close collaborator with Cook for years.

Ternus’s appointment reflects Apple’s emphasis on maintaining its hardware-driven innovation strategy. Known for his hands-on approach, he has been instrumental in advancing Apple’s silicon transition, moving Mac computers away from Intel processors to custom-designed Apple chips.

Cook’s Legacy