Tim Cook To Step Down As Apple CEO On Sept. 1, John Ternus Succeeds Him
Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down on Sept. 1 and become executive chairman, with John Ternus succeeding him as CEO.
Apple said Cook will become executive chairman, replacing Arthur Levinson on the board. John Ternus, 50, will assume the CEO role and has worked at Apple for about 25 years. Cook is 65 and led the company as CEO for nearly 15 years.
Under Cook, Apple's market value rose by more than $3.6 trillion, reflecting years of iPhone-driven growth. Ternus has overseen hardware engineering for iPhone, iPad and Mac for the past five years and is credited internally with guiding key product designs. But Apple now faces technology challenges, including lagging in artificial intelligence and relying on Google to help upgrade Siri.
Early reports emphasized the leadership change without many specifics. Later coverage from CBS and NPR added a Sept. 1 transition date and the board reshuffle detail naming Cook as executive chairman. The announcement circulated widely on social platforms and included Cook praising Ternus and Ternus crediting mentorship from Steve Jobs and Cook, which helped shape public reaction.
📌 Key Facts
- Apple announced Tim Cook will step down as CEO and John Ternus will assume the CEO role on September 1, 2026.
- Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple’s board, replacing Arthur Levinson.
- Apple’s coverage includes direct quoted statements: Cook praised Ternus, and Ternus acknowledged mentorship by Steve Jobs and Tim Cook.
- Tim Cook is 65 years old and John Ternus is 50 years old.
- Under Cook’s leadership, Apple’s market value rose by more than $3.6 trillion.
- John Ternus has been with Apple for about 25 years and has overseen hardware engineering for the iPhone, iPad and Mac for the past five years.
- Reports note Apple’s recent struggles in artificial intelligence and that the company has moved to rely on Google to upgrade Siri.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms Tim Cook's age as 65 and John Ternus's age as 50.
- States that Cook's tenure lifted Apple's market value by more than $3.6 trillion.
- Clarifies that Ternus has been with Apple for about 25 years and has overseen iPhone, iPad, and Mac hardware engineering for the past five years.
- Notes Apple's recent struggles in artificial intelligence and its move to rely on Google to upgrade Siri.
- Apple says Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board, replacing Arthur Levinson.
- Apple sets a specific transition date, saying John Ternus will assume the CEO role on September 1.
- Includes direct quoted statements from Cook praising Ternus and from Ternus acknowledging mentorship by Steve Jobs and Cook.