Apple Confirms Tim Cook Stepping Down September 1 as John Ternus Becomes CEO

By Jaspal Singh April 21, 2026 Updated: April 21, 2026

Apple has officially confirmed that Tim Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, 2026, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus succeeding him. Cook will assume the role of executive chairman of Apple's board. Separately, Johny Srouji — Apple's former SVP of Hardware Technologies — will take on an expanded role leading a newly combined Hardware Engineering and Hardware Technologies division.

The Official Announcement

In a message to employees, Apple confirmed the leadership transition that had been widely reported. Tim Cook said he looks forward to serving as executive chairman, where he will focus on engaging with policymakers globally and assisting with key strategic decisions. John Ternus expressed gratitude and outlined his commitment to Apple's hardware-first vision, while Johny Srouji detailed a reorganized hardware division spanning five key areas.

Johny Srouji's Expanded Role

A notable development alongside the CEO announcement is the elevation of Johny Srouji, architect of Apple Silicon. His newly combined division brings together hardware engineering and hardware technologies — meaning the teams responsible for Apple's chips (A-series, M-series) and its physical device engineering now report through one unified leadership structure. This consolidation signals Apple's intent to tighten the integration between silicon design and device hardware under Ternus's CEO tenure.

Tim Cook's Legacy

Cook took over from Steve Jobs in 2011 and transformed Apple from a premium hardware company into the world's most valuable business. Under his leadership, Apple launched the Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Silicon, and the Vision Pro spatial computing platform. Services revenue grew from near zero to over $100 billion annually. Cook departs as one of the most consequential CEOs in corporate history.

What to Expect Under Ternus

John Ternus's background as a hardware engineer suggests Apple's next chapter will be defined by device innovation — AI-native hardware, second-generation Vision Pro, and continued Apple Silicon advancement. Analysts expect the services focus to continue under Cook's chairmanship, while Ternus drives the product roadmap.

The Bottom Line

Apple's formal CEO transition to John Ternus on September 1 marks the end of the Cook era and the beginning of a hardware-engineering-led chapter. With Johny Srouji's expanded role and Tim Cook remaining as executive chairman, Apple has engineered a continuity-focused handover at one of the most pivotal moments in tech history.