Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO, John Ternus takes over September 1

Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple’s CEO after 15 years at the top of the company. Notably, Apple confirmed John Ternus as the incoming chief executive. The current senior vice president of Hardware Engineering takes the role on September 1. Cook will transition to Executive Chairman of Apple’s board.

Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and has led hardware engineering since 2021. Furthermore, he oversaw the development of the iPad, AirPods and recent iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch generations. At 51, he steps in near the same age Cook once held. Cook took over from Steve Jobs in 2011.

The change carries huge implications for music. Meanwhile, Apple Music remains one of the industry’s two largest streaming platforms. Beats continues to anchor the company’s audio hardware. Apple’s spatial audio push and Dolby Atmos catalogue sit inside his remit. Crucially, artists, labels and DJs who depend on the ecosystem will watch the transition closely.

Cook’s 15-year run saw Apple cross three trillion dollars in market value. Indeed, he also led the Beats acquisition, the launch of Apple Music and the broader shift to services. Moreover, he will continue to advise on select company matters. Policymaker engagement remains a focus of his chairman role. In short, Apple is handing the wheel to a hardware-first leader. The music industry is part of what he inherits. Still, the long Cook era leaves Apple with deeper music roots than any tech peer. Fans and DJs alike will now watch Ternus set the tone for the next Apple chapter. Read more from our ongoing Apple Music coverage.