Ternus Takes Over at Apple Amid Smooth Leadership Transition

John Ternus took over as CEO of Apple on September 1, 2026, replacing Tim Cook in the top spot. However, instead of retiring, Cook will serve as executive chairman and help with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world.

Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 and has spent his entire career on the product side, working on everything from the iPhone to the Mac to the Apple Watch. He was promoted to vice president of hardware engineering in 2013 and joined senior leadership in 2021.

Under Cook's leadership, Apple grew from a $350 billion market cap in 2011 to over $4.6 trillion today. Cook took over after Steve Jobs' passing in 2011 and has been instrumental in the company's growth and success.