Who is John Ternus, Apple's CEO replacement for Tim Cook?

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John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy: Apple)

Apple CEO Tim Cook plans to step down later this year, and the company has named John Ternus as his successor. Ternus, currently Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will take over as CEO on September 1. 

Why you should care:

Ternus will soon lead a company that hundreds of millions rely on every time they pick up an iPhone, start typing on a Mac, buy something with Apple Pay, or interact with the dozens of other products and services under Apple’s umbrella. 

What they're saying:

"John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor," Cook said in Apple’s statement. "He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future."

Creating the iPad and AirPods

Before joining Apple’s product design team in 2001, Ternus was a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, according to Apple. In 2013, he was promoted to vice president of Hardware Engineering, and became a member of Apple’s executive team as the senior vice president of Hardware Engineering eight years later.

Apple’s bio credited Ternus as key to the creation of major product lines, including the iPad and AirPods. Additionally, he played important roles in the hardware development of multiple generations of iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch. 

As the head of the hardware engineering team, according to the company, Ternus helped in the development of new materials and designs meant to make Apple’s products more resilient and reduce their carbon footprint.

What they're saying:

"It has been a privilege to help shape the products and experiences that have changed so much of how we interact with the world and with one another," Ternus said. "I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us."