Who is John Ternus, Apple’s New CEO?

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

John Ternus officially became Apple’s CEO on September 1, succeeding Tim Cook, who retired and moved to the role of executive chairman. Ternus, known for leading Apple’s hardware innovations, now faces the challenge of advancing the company’s artificial intelligence efforts to compete with rivals in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

John Ternus succeeded Tim Cook as the chief executive officer of Apple on September 1, following Cook’s retirement on August 31. Cook has transitioned to the role of executive chairman of the company’s board. Ternus, a seasoned Apple veteran with a background in hardware engineering, is expected to continue the strategic direction that has driven Apple’s recent financial successes.

Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and advanced through the ranks, becoming vice president of hardware engineering in 2013 and leading the department since 2021. Under his management, Apple developed and launched its proprietary silicon chips for Mac computers, a move credited with boosting sales following the transition away from Intel processors in 2020. His tenure also saw the introduction of key products such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and the Vision Pro headset. While the first two have become significant business lines for Apple, the Vision Pro has yet to meet similar commercial expectations.

In a statement upon his appointment, Ternus expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Apple, citing his long career at the company and the influence of predecessors Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. Cook lauded Ternus for combining technical expertise with an innovative mindset and leadership grounded in integrity.

Ternus’ leadership style has been described as steady and measured, drawing comparisons more to Cook’s calm approach than to the more dynamic style of Jobs. Johny Srouji, previously senior vice president of hardware at Apple, is set to take over Ternus’ former role.

Cook, who became Apple CEO in 2011 after Jobs’ death, reportedly planned his succession for over a year as he sought to reduce his workload. Ternus was identified early on as a leading candidate to succeed him.

With a background rooted in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and early work at a virtual reality startup, Ternus’ expertise lies firmly in consumer hardware. However, as he assumes the helm, Apple faces pressure to advance its artificial intelligence capabilities and expand its presence in consumer AI products. The company is currently seen as trailing peers in this area, despite its leadership in device innovation. Expectations include a potential overhaul of Apple’s Siri virtual assistant and development of AI initiatives to compete with technologies like Google’s Gemini.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.