Tim Cook Names John Ternus as Apple’s Next CEO

Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO, handing the company’s leadership to longtime hardware executive John Ternus as Apple prepares for its next era of products and artificial intelligence.

Apple announced in April that Ternus, its senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, would become CEO, effective Sept. 1. Cook will remain with Apple as executive chairman and continue to support parts of the business, including engagement with policymakers around the world.

Tim Cook Backs John Ternus as Apple’s Next CEO

On his final day as CEO, Cook strongly endorsed Ternus in a memo to employees reported by Bloomberg. Cook told employees that few people understand what it takes to build products capable of changing the world, as Ternus does.

Ternus has overseen hardware engineering across Apple’s product lineup and has been involved with products including the ultra-thin iPhone Air, the lower-cost MacBook Neo and AirPods featuring hearing health capabilities. His promotion puts an executive with extensive product and engineering experience at the centre of Apple’s leadership.

Hardware is also becoming increasingly important to Apple’s AI strategy. Beyond the chips needed to run AI workloads, devices such as Macs will determine how consumers and businesses access AI-powered features. Apple released some new Mac models, including the Mac mini and Mac Studio, earlier than in previous cycles amid demand tied to AI computing.

Cook Will Stay at Apple as Executive Chairman

Cook’s farewell memo focused largely on Apple’s culture and his gratitude to employees rather than offering a detailed roadmap for the company’s issues, including AI, services, regulation, and China.

“We share a belief that what we build matters and that we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to leave the world better than we found it,” Cook wrote.

He also referenced Steve Jobs’ well-known idea of leaving a “dent in the universe,” crediting Apple’s culture, values and employees for the company’s ability to create products with broad impact.

Cook emphasised that he is not leaving Apple entirely. As executive chairman, he will continue working at the company while Ternus assumes responsibility for day-to-day leadership. Apple has also said Cook will remain involved in relationships with policymakers around the world.

In a message posted on X, Cook thanked the Apple community on his final day as CEO and said that while his title would change, his connection to the company and its customers would not.

Ternus takes over a company facing major decisions about how its hardware, software and services will evolve alongside AI. His background leading Apple’s hardware organisation makes product execution a central part of the leadership transition as Cook moves into his new role.