Tim Cook to step down as CEO of Apple

April 21, 2026

An article summarized by engadget:

Tim Cook will step down as CEO of Apple on September 1st, transitioning into the role of executive chairman after more than a decade leading the company. Apple’s board unanimously approved the move, and current senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus will take over as CEO following a transition period over the summer.

Cook, who became CEO in 2011 after the death of Steve Jobs, oversaw Apple’s expansion beyond the iPhone era, launching major products like AirPods, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro while growing its services business with offerings like Apple Music and Apple TV. Though widely respected for his operational leadership, Cook has at times faced criticism for not matching Jobs’ product vision. In a farewell message, Cook reflected on his tenure with gratitude, calling it the greatest privilege of his life.

Ternus, a longtime Apple engineer who joined the company in 2001, is seen as a product-focused leader with deep experience in hardware design. He has played a key role in shaping Apple’s devices and was recently featured in major product launches. In statements, both Cook and Ternus expressed confidence in the transition, with Cook calling him the “perfect person” to lead Apple into its next chapter.