Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner is formally stepping down from his position on September 1, the corporate introduced as we speak, whereas present SVP of {hardware} engineering John Ternus will take over as the brand new CEO. Prepare dinner will transition to a brand new position as govt chairman of Apple’s Board of Administrators. The corporate says the transfer was “accredited unanimously” by Apple’s Board, and that Prepare dinner will work on transitioning his duties over the summer time.
“It has been the best privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to steer such a unprecedented firm,” Prepare dinner stated in an announcement. “I really like Apple with all of my being, and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to work with a group of such ingenious, revolutionary, artistic, and deeply caring individuals who have been unwavering of their dedication to enriching the lives of our clients and creating one of the best services and products on the earth.”
Prepare dinner turned CEO of Apple in 2011 following the demise of co-founder Steve Jobs, and he led the cost for Apple’s post-iPhone and iPad period by launching the AirPods, Apple Watch and Imaginative and prescient Professional. He additionally pushed the corporate into being extra of a service supplier with the launch of Apple TV and Apple Music. Whereas he’s had a robust status as a logistics-oriented govt, Prepare dinner has been criticized for missing the product imaginative and prescient that Jobs was identified for.
Ternus, alternatively, has been targeted on product design since becoming a member of Apple in 2001. He turned VP of {hardware} engineering in 2013, and later transitioned to a senior govt position in 2021. Ternus was additionally prominently featured on the MacBook Neo launch a number of months in the past, the place Apple introduced a low-cost but high-quality pocket book that encapsulates its distinctive place within the PC trade.
“I’m profoundly grateful for this chance to hold Apple’s mission ahead,” Ternus stated in an announcement. “Having spent nearly my complete profession at Apple, I’ve been fortunate to have labored underneath Steve Jobs and to have had Tim Prepare dinner as my mentor. It has been a privilege to assist form the merchandise and experiences which have modified a lot of how we work together with the world and with each other.”
Prepare dinner printed a group letter timed for the announcement, which we’ve included under:
To the Apple group:
For the previous 15 years I’ve began nearly each morning the identical manner. I open my e mail and I learn notes I acquired the day earlier than from Apple’s customers all around the world.
You share little items of your lives with me and inform me stuff you need me to find out about how Apple has touched you. In regards to the second your mother was saved by her Apple Watch. In regards to the excellent selfie you captured on the summit of a mountain that appeared inconceivable to climb. You thank me for the methods Mac has modified what you are able to do at work and generally give me a tough time as a result of one thing you care about isn’t working prefer it ought to.
In each a kind of emails I really feel the beating coronary heart of our shared humanity. I really feel a way of deepening obligation to work more durable and push additional. However most of all, I really feel a gratitude that I can not put into phrases, that I in some way acquired to be the particular person on the opposite finish of these emails, the chief of an organization that ignites imaginations and enriches lives in such profound methods it defies description. What an honor and a privilege it has been.
Immediately we introduced that I’m taking the following step in my journey at Apple. Over the approaching months I might be transitioning into a brand new position, leaving the CEO job behind in September and changing into Apple’s govt chairman. A brand new particular person might be getting into what I do know in my coronary heart is one of the best job on the earth. That chief is John Ternus, an excellent engineer and thinker who has spent the previous 25 years constructing the Apple merchandise our customers love a lot, obsessive about each element, targeted on each attainable manner we are able to make one thing higher, bolder, extra lovely, and extra significant. He’s the right particular person for the job.
John cares a lot about who we’re at Apple, what we do at Apple, who we attain at Apple, and he has the center and character to steer with extraordinary integrity. I’m so proud to name him Apple’s subsequent CEO. This firm will attain such unimaginable heights underneath his management, and you’ll really feel his influence in each bit of pleasure and discovery that grows out of the services and products to come back. I can’t wait so that you can get to know him like I do.
This isn’t goodbye. However at this second of transition, I wished to take the chance to say thanks. Not on behalf of the corporate, this time, although there’s a wellspring of gratitude for you that overflows inside our partitions. However merely on behalf of me. Tim. An individual who grew up in a rural place in a special time and, for these magical moments, acquired to be the CEO of the best firm on the earth. Thanks for the boldness and kindness you’ve proven me. Thanks for saying hello to me on the road and in our shops. Thanks for cheering alongside me after we unveiled a brand new services or products. Thanks, most of all, for believing in me to steer the corporate that has all the time put you on the heart of our work. Every single day we stand up and take into consideration what we are able to do to make your life a bit bit higher. And day by day, you’ve made mine one of the best I might have requested for.
Thanks.
In the meantime, the newly named chief {hardware} officer, Johny Srouji, reportedly informed workers that his division’s workers members might be divided to work on 5 key areas. In response to Bloomberg, staffers engaged on {hardware} might be organized into {hardware} engineering, silicon, superior applied sciences, platform structure and challenge administration groups. Apple reportedly plans so as to add hundreds of workers to work on its iPhones, iPads, Macs, Watches and different merchandise, as effectively.
Replace, April 21, 2026, 8:05AM ET: This story has been up to date so as to add details about the {hardware} group’s new construction.

