John Ternus is the new Apple CEO
Apple’s former hardware engineering chief, John Ternus, was officially appointed CEO of the company today; this change is now noted on Apple’s leadership page. Ternus joined Apple in 2001, became vice president of hardware engineering in 2013, and senior vice president of hardware engineering in 2021. He is 51 years old, so he could serve as CEO for 10 to 15 years before reaching the usual retirement age.
After 15 years as CEO, Tim Cook is now Executive Chairman of Apple’s Board of Directors. In this role, Apple says Cook will “contribute to certain aspects of the company, including working with policymakers worldwide.”
On his last day as CEO on Monday, Cook visited the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, California, to meet with Apple employees from various branches. Photos and a video of the visit are available on Instagram.
Apple’s Phil Schiller reduces his role with the beginning of the John Ternus era
According to Bloomberg, Apple’s Phil Schiller will neither lead the App Store nor oversee product events. Schiller is not leaving Apple, but is reducing his responsibilities and working on unspecified projects. Apple employees told Bloomberg that the 66-year-old Schiller appears to be taking another step toward retirement.
Schiller was Apple’s chief marketing officer until 2020, before stepping down and accepting the title of Apple Fellow. At the time, Schiller stated that he would stay with Apple as long as they wanted him, but added that he wanted to dedicate more time to family, friends, and personal projects.
As an Apple Fellow, Schiller continued to oversee the App Store and Apple events, but this role may not have left him enough time for his own projects. According to the Wall Street Journal, Schiller was working nearly 80 hours a week in 2024. He led the App Store through some of its most turbulent years, including Apple’s ongoing struggles to comply with EU digital markets law, the company’s legal battle with Epic Games, and numerous other changes necessitated by regulatory measures in countries like Brazil and Japan.
Schiller began his career at Apple in 1987, left the company in 1993, and returned in 1997 when Steve Jobs came back to Apple. He was instrumental in some of Apple’s biggest product launches, including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. He plans to remain with Apple and will retain his title of Apple Fellow.
Schiller is stepping down as head of the App Store and Apple product launches, just as John Ternus is taking over as Apple CEO. Today is Tim Cook’s last day as CEO; he is moving to the position of Apple chairman.
Apple is handing over the reins of the App Store to Eddy Cue, who previously led it until 2015. Cue is Apple’s head of services and is expected to assume a more influential role under Ternus’s leadership. Carson Oliver, a long-time member of the App Store team, will oversee day-to-day operations.
Nola Weinstein, Schiller’s deputy, will lead the Apple events team and report to Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Kristin Huguet Quayle.
Tim Cook hands over to John Ternus and comments on his last day as Apple CEO
At the same time, Tim Cook has stepped down as CEO of Apple today to make way for John Ternus. Here is the memo he sent to his employees as a farewell.
Team,
Today is my last day as CEO of Apple. I always knew this moment would come, and yet I can hardly believe it’s here and I’m writing these words. I love this company and the team behind it, and I couldn’t let this day pass without writing to express my deep gratitude for the affection you’ve shown me, for your daily dedication, and most of all, for the privilege of being your boss for life.
The truth is: Whatever anyone may say about my success, I know I owe it all to you. You brought out the best in me. In my entire life, I’ve never experienced such an extraordinary team, and every day I see more examples of that.
Apple is something truly special. But what I’m most proud of is something a financial report could never capture. This place proves that culture transcends everything. We share a belief that what we create matters and that we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. That ambition is what makes this place so extraordinary. Apple fosters it, but I believe it was already there in each of you long before you came here. It led you to this company and continues to drive your work today. Together, we’ve created something far greater than any of us could have imagined or achieved alone. And that’s the secret to our success. We bring out the best in everyone. We support each other. We’ve managed to leave our “marks in the universe,” as Steve once put it – through who we are and what we believe in, through our values and our worldview. How fortunate we are. How fortunate I am.
As you know, I’m not leaving Apple. However, I am giving up a position that is very close to my heart. I will miss this work immensely, even though I am completely at peace with my decision. I will miss guiding you and being there for you every step of the way, even though it is a great relief to hand over the reins to someone as brilliant, wonderful, and capable as John. Few people understand as well as John what it means to create products that change the world, and I am very much looking forward to his leadership.
I hope you know how much I value you and what an honor it has been to be your CEO. Above all, I hope you continue to be proud to be part of this extraordinary company called Apple and always give your best. When we wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to this work, with consideration for one another and for the people we serve, there are no limits to the profound change we can effect.
I look forward to seeing you in my new role at Apple Park and around the world.
With everything I have and everything I am, I am always
Yours,
Tim
Cook also addressed a message to customers today.
Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO. My title changes tomorrow, but my love for the Apple community remains. Thank you for always inspiring me. I am incredibly grateful and look forward to the next chapter!
Gurman also revealed that Apple is looking for an executive bodyguard who must be able to “hike several miles at a time in challenging terrain.” Cook is an avid hiker and loves the US national parks, which is why Gurman suspects the job posting refers to Cook, who is expected to spend more time outdoors in the future.
However, Cook will remain CEO of Apple and will therefore keep an eye on John Ternus.
