Tim Cook May Step Down as Apple CEO in 2026

Key Takeaways:

Tim Cook could leave Apple by 2026 as the board advances CEO succession plans after years of avoiding a formal timeline.
John Ternus is the leading successor with his oversight of iPhone, iPad, and Mac making him the top internal choice to replace Cook.
Apple leadership is being reshuffled following Jeff Williams’ exit, with key execs taking broader roles across Services, Software, and Hardware.
Cook’s tenure prioritized scaled production and global expansion, setting a stable foundation for a hardware-focused future under Ternus.
Transition plans are in motion, but not final and any leadership shift could significantly impact Apple’s product roadmap and innovation focus.

Tim Cook might be preparing to exit his role as Apple’s CEO as soon as 2026, according to a Financial Times report. The company’s board has begun laying out a succession plan, with internal leadership discussions reportedly moving into a more concrete phase. This marks the first time in several years that Apple has actively explored a leadership change timeline.

John Ternus as the Top Contender

John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, is reportedly the leading candidate to replace Cook. Ternus oversees Apple’s full hardware product lineup, including the iPhone, Mac and iPad. If he takes over, he would become the first hardware-focused leader to run Apple since Steve Jobs.
Apple has a long history of promoting internal leaders. Tim Cook has previously stated that the company prefers internal continuity when selecting a CEO, making an external hire highly unlikely.

Cook’s Era and Apple’s Evolution

Cook, now 65, has served as Apple’s CEO for 14 years. During his leadership, Apple achieved massive product expansion and record financial growth while also facing controversies. One of Cook’s defining strategic decisions was scaling outsourced manufacturing, which allowed Apple to rapidly increase global production capacity.
The possible change in leadership comes immediately after another major shift. Jeff Williams, Apple’s longtime COO and previously viewed as a potential successor, retired recently. His departure triggered a wider rearrangement across executive responsibilities.

Expanded Roles for Apple’s Leadership

With Williams gone, various key executives have stepped into expanded positions:

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Eddy Cue now oversees a broader range of Services
Craig Federighi plays a larger role in software engineering
John Ternus holds a more central leadership position on the hardware side

This restructuring suggests Apple is preparing for a future without Cook by distributing major duties across senior leadership rather than relying on a single replacement to inherit everything.

What the Transition Might Mean for Apple

If Cook steps down in 2026, it would be Apple’s largest leadership change since 2011. If Ternus becomes CEO, Apple is expected to continue prioritizing product development and could place even more long-term emphasis on hardware innovation.
Regardless of the exact timing, Apple appears committed to a smooth internal transition. Cook has previously said that Apple maintains detailed succession plans, and the recent leadership moves indicate those plans are now being put into action.

Leadership changes at Apple usually reshape the company and the industry. The next few months should provide clearer answers on where Apple is heading next.