John Ternus became Apple’s chief executive officer on September 1, 2026. Tim Cook, who held the job for more than a decade, moved into a new role as Executive Chairman of Apple’s board. Arthur Levinson, the board’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, became lead independent director on the same date.
Apple announced the change on its newsroom on April 20, 2026, more than four months before it took effect. The company’s own release is the only source for what each title now means, and it is unusually specific about who does what next.
What changed, and when
Apple’s board approved the succession unanimously, describing it as the result of “a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process.” Cook remained CEO through the summer of 2026, working alongside Ternus on the handover before stepping into the new role on September 1. Ternus also joined Apple’s board of directors that same day.
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| Key facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Effective date | September 1, 2026 |
| New CEO | John Ternus, formerly SVP Hardware Engineering |
| Former CEO | Tim Cook, now Executive Chairman |
| Lead independent director | Arthur Levinson, formerly non-executive chairman for 15 years |
| Board vote | Unanimous |
| Announced | April 20, 2026, on Apple’s newsroom |
The three roles, side by side
| Executive | Role before | Role from September 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Cook | Chief Executive Officer | Executive Chairman of the board |
| John Ternus | SVP, Hardware Engineering | Chief Executive Officer; joined the board |
| Arthur Levinson | Non-executive chairman (15 years) | Lead independent director |
What Tim Cook’s new job actually is
Apple’s release states that as Executive Chairman, Cook “will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world.” That is the only description Apple has published of the role’s scope. Cook remains on Apple’s board in this new capacity, distinct from Levinson’s separate position as lead independent director.
Ternus, who spent almost his entire career at Apple before becoming CEO, previously ran Hardware Engineering, the organization behind products including the iPhone 18 Pro, its A20 Pro chip, and the Apple Watch Series 12, all announced at Apple’s September event. Apple’s April release frames the change as the result of long-term planning, not a response to any single product cycle, and it does not tie the decision to a financial result or event date.
What Apple’s directors said
Apple published quotes from all three executives in its April release. Cook: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple…” and “John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor.”
Ternus: “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” adding, “Having spent almost my entire career at Apple, I have been lucky to have worked under Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Cook as my mentor.”
Levinson: “Tim’s unprecedented and outstanding leadership has transformed Apple into the world’s best company,” and “We believe John is the best possible leader to succeed Tim.”
Where this sits against the rest of Apple’s year
The transition took effect eleven days before this month’s iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo and Apple Watch Series 12 launch products, all of which were in development well before September 1. Apple’s September 9 event recap and the iOS 27 release schedule were both set under the prior leadership structure and carried forward unchanged.
What Apple has not said
- Any further detail on what Cook’s day-to-day work as Executive Chairman involves beyond policy engagement.
- Compensation terms for any of the three roles. Those figures, if disclosed, would appear in Apple’s SEC filings rather than in the newsroom release.
- Any additional board or executive changes beyond the three named here.
Today is Saturday, September 12, 2026, eleven days into Ternus’s tenure as CEO. Apple has published nothing further about the transition since its April 20 announcement, and its next scheduled disclosure of note is a fourth-quarter earnings call whose date the company has not yet announced.