AppReviewPros, April 21 – Apple announced today that Tim Cook will become Executive Chairman of the Board, and John Tenus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will become Apple’s next CEO, effective September 1, 2026.
Apple emphasized that this transition was unanimously approved by the Board and is the result of Apple’s well-thought-out, long-term succession planning. Cook will continue as CEO during this period, working closely with Tenus to ensure a smooth transition. As Executive Chairman, Cook will assist with some of the company’s affairs, including maintaining communication with global policymakers.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as CEO of Apple and lead such an outstanding company. I love Apple with all my heart and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented, innovative, and creative team who deeply care about others. We are steadfastly committed to enriching our users’ lives and creating the best products and services in the world,” Cook said. “John Tenus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart of integrity. He is a visionary leader whose contributions to Apple over the past 25 years are immeasurable, and he is undoubtedly the right person to lead Apple into the future. I have full confidence in his abilities and character and look forward to working closely with him as the new Executive Chairman during this transition.”
Tenus said, “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to continue advancing Apple’s mission. I have spent almost my entire career at Apple, and I have been fortunate to work with Steve Jobs and receive guidance from Tim…” “It is an honor to be a part of shaping the products and experiences that have profoundly changed how we interact with the world and with others. I am optimistic about what we can achieve in the coming years and thrilled to know that the most talented people on earth are at Apple, and we are all committed to being part of a greater cause that transcends the individual. I take on this role with humility and a commitment to leading the company with the values and vision that have defined this extraordinary company for the past half-century.”
Additionally, Arthur Levinson, who has served as Apple’s non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become Apple’s lead independent director, effective September 1, 2026. Tenus will also join the Apple board on the same day.
Levinson stated, “Tim’s unprecedented leadership has transformed Apple into the best company in the world. He has repeatedly delivered groundbreaking products and services, and his integrity and values are ingrained in everything Apple does. On behalf of the entire board, I am incredibly grateful for the countless contributions Tim has made to Apple and the world, and we are thrilled that he will assume the role of executive chairman. We believe John is the best leader to succeed Tim, and we know that his passion for Apple, his leadership, his deep technical expertise, and his unwavering focus on building great products will help Apple achieve an extraordinary future as he transitions to CEO.”
Cook said, “I want to thank Arthur for his outstanding work leading the board over the past 15 years. His advice has been invaluable to me, and I appreciate his thoughtful consideration and unwavering dedication to the company. I am grateful that he will be our lead independent director and look forward to working with him in this new role.”
Official data shows that Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011. Under his leadership, Apple launched numerous products and services, including new product categories such as Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, as well as services like iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and Apple Music. Cook also drove the expansion of existing product lines. During his tenure, Apple’s market capitalization grew from approximately $350 billion to $4 trillion (IT Home note: approximately 27.31 trillion yuan at the current exchange rate), an increase of over 1000%; annual revenue grew from $108 billion in fiscal year 2011 to over $416 billion in fiscal year 2025 (approximately 2.84 trillion yuan at the current exchange rate), nearly quadrupling. Apple significantly expanded its global business footprint, especially in emerging markets; currently, Apple’s business spans more than 200 countries and regions. Apple operates over 500 retail stores, and the number of countries/regions its Apple Stores cover has more than doubled. During Cook’s tenure, Apple’s team has grown by over 100,000 members, and the number of active devices has increased to over 2.5 billion.
Cook has consistently prioritized Apple’s services, which, under his leadership, have grown to over $100 billion, equivalent to a Fortune 40 company. Cook also spearheaded Apple’s wearables business, a category that now includes the world’s most popular watches and headphones, laying the foundation for Apple’s significant achievements in user health and safety. Under Cook’s leadership, Apple has also achieved in-house chip development, enabling the company to master more core technologies and achieve industry-leading gains in energy efficiency and performance, directly benefiting users across its entire product line.
Cook has further integrated Apple’s core values into company decision-making and product development. Under his leadership, Apple has nearly doubled its revenue while reducing its carbon footprint by more than 60% compared to 2015 levels. Cook has long championed privacy as a fundamental human right, making privacy and security a core requirement at Apple and setting a benchmark for user protection, thus setting Apple apart in the technology industry. He has also driven continuous innovation in accessibility, firmly believing that Apple products should serve everyone. At the heart of his leadership philosophy is: Apple should be a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
John Tenus joined Apple’s product design team in 2001, was promoted to vice president of hardware engineering in 2013, and then joined the executive team as senior vice president of hardware engineering in 2021. During his time at Apple, Tenus was responsible for the hardware engineering of numerous groundbreaking products across multiple product categories. He played a key role in the launch of new product lines such as the iPad and AirPods, as well as multiple generations of iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Apple notes that Tenus’s work on the Mac has made it stronger and more globally appealing than at any time in its 40-year history, including the recently launched MacBook Neo, a completely new laptop that makes it easier for more users worldwide to experience the Mac. Last fall, his team also launched a redefined iPhone lineup, including the powerful iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the ultra-thin and durable iPhone Air, and the iPhone 17, which offers a significant upgrade for users. Under his leadership, the team also propelled the advancements of AirPods, making them the world’s best in-ear headphones with unprecedented active noise cancellation and the ability to function as an over-the-counter hearing aid within an integrated hearing health system.
Ternus also led significant work within the company in areas such as reliability and durability, introducing numerous new technologies that contribute to the exceptional durability of Apple products. He also drove numerous innovations at Apple in materials and hardware design, reducing the carbon footprint of products, including the development of a new recycled aluminum composite material used across multiple product lines, the use of 3D-printed titanium in the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and innovations in repairability that have extended the lifespan of many Apple products.
Prior to joining Apple, Tenus was a mechanical engineer at Virtual Research Systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
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