Apple CEO Tim Cook to step down on 1 September 2026 after 15 years; John Ternus to succeed him; Cook to move to Executive Chairman role.
एप्पल के सीईओ टिम कुक 15 वर्षों के बाद 1 सितंबर 2026 को पद से हट जाएँगे; जॉन टर्नस नए सीईओ होंगे; कुक कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष की भूमिका में जाएँगे।
Why in News
Apple has announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down on 1 September 2026, ending a 15-year tenure during which the company grew into one of the world's most valuable listed firms. Cook, who succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011, will move into the role of Executive Chairman. John Ternus, Apple's current head of hardware engineering — who joined the company in 2001 — will become the next CEO. The transition comes as the technology industry enters a new AI and next-generation-hardware phase.
At a Glance
- Departing CEO
- Tim Cook — stepping down on 1 September 2026 after 15 years
- Cook's new role
- Executive Chairman
- Successor
- John Ternus, currently head of hardware engineering; joined Apple in 2001
- Cook's tenure began
- 2011 — succeeding co-founder Steve Jobs
- Cook-era expansions
- Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Services business
- Cook-era transitions
- Supply-chain shifts, privacy debates, global regulatory challenges, custom silicon chips for Mac
- Strategic context
- Transition occurs as AI, advanced chips, and smart devices redefine the technology industry
Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down on 1 September 2026 after 15 years leading the company. Cook succeeded co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011 and will now move into the role of Executive Chairman. John Ternus — Apple's current head of hardware engineering, who joined the company in 2001 and oversaw hardware innovation across Mac, iPad, and iPhone including the custom-silicon Mac transition — has been named the next CEO. The transition occurs at a moment of industry-wide shift toward artificial intelligence and next-generation hardware; Ternus is expected to lead Apple's response while retaining focus on design, privacy, and integrated hardware-software experiences.
एप्पल के सीईओ टिम कुक 15 वर्षों के नेतृत्व के बाद 1 सितंबर 2026 को पद से हट जाएँगे। कुक 2011 में सह-संस्थापक स्टीव जॉब्स के उत्तराधिकारी बने थे और अब कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष की भूमिका में जाएँगे। जॉन टर्नस — एप्पल के वर्तमान हार्डवेयर इंजीनियरिंग प्रमुख, जो 2001 में कंपनी में शामिल हुए थे और मैक, आईपैड तथा आईफोन में हार्डवेयर नवाचार का नेतृत्व किया — अगले सीईओ होंगे। यह परिवर्तन कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता एवं अगली पीढ़ी के हार्डवेयर के उद्योग-व्यापी बदलाव के समय हो रहा है।
Static GK
- •Apple Inc.: American multinational technology company; headquartered in Cupertino, California; founded 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne
- •Tim Cook: Second CEO of Apple; served 2011-2026; joined Apple 1998; previously Chief Operating Officer
- •Steve Jobs: Co-founder of Apple; first CEO; returned as CEO 1997 after earlier departure; died 2011
- •John Ternus: Apple's incoming CEO (from 1 September 2026); joined Apple 2001; led hardware engineering for Mac, iPad, iPhone product lines
- •Apple custom silicon: Apple's in-house chips (M-series) replacing Intel processors in Mac line; significantly boosted Mac performance and sales
Timeline
- 1976Apple founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.
- 1998Tim Cook joins Apple.
- 2001John Ternus joins Apple.
- 2011Tim Cook becomes CEO, succeeding Steve Jobs.
- 2026Cook announces transition effective 1 September 2026; Ternus named next CEO; Cook to become Executive Chairman.
- →Tim Cook (1998 Apple join, 2011 CEO) → step down 1 September 2026. 15 years tenure.
- →Cook ka naya role = Executive Chairman. Operational role nahi, strategic leadership role.
- →John Ternus (2001 join, hardware engineering head) = next CEO. 25 saal Apple mein hi.
- →Jobs → Cook → Ternus. Steve Jobs ne 2011 mein step down kiya, usi saal unki death hui.
- →Cook era additions: Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Music, Apple TV+, custom silicon Mac chips. Diversification.
- →Apple HQ = Cupertino, California. Founded 1976 — Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne.
Exam Angles
Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down on 1 September 2026 after 15 years, moving to Executive Chairman; John Ternus (current head of hardware engineering, joined Apple in 2001) will be the next CEO; Cook succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011.
Q1. Tim Cook, who has announced his step-down as Apple CEO effective 1 September 2026, became CEO in:
- A.2007
- B.2011
- C.2014
- D.2018
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. 2011
Tim Cook became Apple CEO in 2011, succeeding co-founder Steve Jobs.
Q2. Apple's new CEO from 1 September 2026 — John Ternus — currently heads which function at Apple?
- A.Services and subscriptions
- B.Hardware engineering
- C.Marketing and retail
- D.AI research
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. Hardware engineering
John Ternus is currently Apple's head of hardware engineering; he joined the company in 2001 and oversaw hardware innovation across Mac, iPad, and iPhone, including the custom-silicon transition.
Q3. After stepping down as CEO, Tim Cook will assume which role at Apple?
- A.Chief Strategy Officer
- B.Executive Chairman
- C.Chairman Emeritus
- D.Chief Technology Officer
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. Executive Chairman
Tim Cook will move into the role of Executive Chairman after stepping down as CEO on 1 September 2026.
Q4. Apple is headquartered in:
- A.Mountain View, California
- B.Redmond, Washington
- C.Cupertino, California
- D.Palo Alto, California
tap to reveal answer
Answer: C. Cupertino, California
Apple's headquarters are in Cupertino, California, at Apple Park.
Common Confusions
- Trap · Cook became CEO year
Correct: 2011, not 2007 or 2014. Cook joined Apple in 1998 (not as CEO) and became CEO in 2011 when Steve Jobs stepped down.
- Trap · Ternus's role at Apple
Correct: Hardware engineering head — not services, not AI, not marketing. He oversaw hardware across Mac, iPad, iPhone including custom silicon transition.
- Trap · Apple headquarters city
Correct: Cupertino, California (at Apple Park campus). Not Mountain View (Google), Redmond (Microsoft), or Palo Alto.
Flashcard
Q · Apple CEO transition 2026 — dates, incumbent, successor, and successor's Apple background?tap to reveal
Suggested Reading
- Apple corporate press release on CEO transitionsearch: apple.com newsroom Tim Cook John Ternus CEO transition 2026
Prerequisites · concepts to brush up first
- Basic awareness of major global technology companies