# Long-time Apple employee John Ternus steps into CEO role > Source: > Published: 2026-09-01 13:38:16+00:00 # Long-time Apple employee John Ternus steps into CEO role [John Ternus](/topic/john-ternus)has officially taken over as[Apple](/topic/apple)'s new[chief executive](/topic/chief-executive), succeeding[Tim Cook](/topic/tim-cook), who stepped down on September 1 to become executive chairman.- Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and previously led its hardware division, overseeing the design and development of major products like [iPhones](/topic/iphones)and Macs. - Tim Cook's new role as executive chairman may allow him to continue handling political relationships, enabling Ternus to focus on product design and durability. - Ternus will make his first major appearance as CEO on September 9 to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, the foldable iPhone Ultra, and a redesigned Siri AI. - While Ternus remains largely mysterious, he takes the lead as Apple faces critical challenges, including competition in artificial intelligence and rising chip prices.