Apple Accelerates Succession Planning as Tim Cook Nears Exit

Apple is reportedly fast-tracking its long-term CEO succession plans, raising the possibility that Tim Cook could step down as early as next year after nearly 14 years at the helm. According to new reporting, Apple’s board and senior leaders have intensified internal discussions and are preparing the company for a leadership transition while business performance remains strong.

The leading internal candidate is said to be John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering. Ternus (at the company since 2001) has guided the development of major devices, appeared prominently in recent keynote events, and is widely seen inside Apple as the most prepared to take over if Cook steps aside. No final decision has been made, and Apple is not expected to reveal a successor before its January earnings report.

Sources emphasize that the succession push is not tied to current performance. Apple is forecasting double-digit revenue growth for the holiday quarter and remains focused on its next wave of AI-powered products. Still, the potential transition would come at a pivotal time: Apple has struggled to keep pace with competitors in generative AI, delayed its next-gen Siri, and recently lost several senior AI leaders to rivals.

While Cook has not publicly addressed timing around his eventual exit, preparations are in motion and a new leadership era at Apple may be closer than expected.