Apple's John Ternus Takes Over Design in Latest CEO Succession Move

[MacRumors]

Apple's hardware chief John Ternus has been overseeing Apple design teams since late last year as Apple continues preparing him to take over as CEO, reports Bloomberg.

Apple CEO Tim Cook put Ternus in charge of the design teams the final months of 2025, expanding his responsibilities. Apple's software and hardware design teams were most recently managed by former Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams, who retired from Apple in 2025. When Williams retired, Apple said the design teams would report directly to Cook, but Cook apparently handed the reins to Ternus.

Design is one of the most important divisions at Apple, and it has always been led by a senior executive. Jony Ive was in charge of the design team before he left and it was given to Williams.

Ternus is apparently the "executive sponsor" of all design on Cook's management team, which means he handles communications between design staff and the executive team. He represents the design team in executive gatherings, and manages design team leaders.

Bloomberg claims that inside sources said Cook is aiming to expose Ternus to more parts of the company's operations. Design decisions are made by consensus, so while Ternus is taking on a larger role, software engineering chief Craig Federighi and marketing chief Greg Joswiak continue to have a say in Apple's overall aesthetic.

Multiple reports have suggested that Ternus is the most likely candidate to take on the role of Apple CEO when Cook retires. Cook turned 65 last year, but there do not appear to be any imminent plans for his retirement. Ternus is Apple's youngest senior executive at 50, so he could have a long run if he is eventually promoted to CEO.

Ternus leads Apple's hardware engineering team, and he has been described as having an even temperament, strong attention to detail, and intimate knowledge of Apple's supply chain. Some at Apple fear that he is too risk averse, inexperienced with geopolitical issues, and not charismatic enough to run Apple.

Article Link: Apple's John Ternus Takes Over Design in Latest CEO Succession Move

 

[MrENGLISH]

You all are trying way too hard to make this happen...

 

[julesme]

Maybe he can fix recent design mishaps (starting with Liquid Glass).

 

[bpa1093]

I’ll never forget – this was the poor guy they made announce the $999 monitor stand

 

[Taq'aix]

Hope he nixes the abhorrent iPhone 17 Pro design. Ternus lacks charisma, just like Apple’s product line.

 

[Yr Blues]

Maybe he can fix recent design mishaps (starting with Liquid Glass).

The concept is fine and attractive. It's just a resource hog with lots of bugs and flaws. No one wants to gimp their phones.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I’ll never forget – this was the poor guy they made announce the $999 monitor stand

It's sink or swim in Cupertino

 

[Rogifan]

Why don’t the software teams report to Craig Federighi?

 

[Falco McGregor]

I’ll never forget – this was the poor guy they made announce the $999 monitor stand

Also known as "The Day the Live Keynote Died."

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Well…
This is a Ternus for the books, no?

I’ll grab my joke book.

 

[th0masp]

Also known as "The Day the Live Keynote Died."

Not that I've watched that but aren't you forgetting the 500+ $ wheels?

 

[antiprotest]

Does this mean anything for Craig?

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple's hardware chief John Ternus has been overseeing Apple design teams since late last year as Apple continues preparing him to take over as CEO, reports Bloomberg.

Apple CEO Tim Cook put Ternus in charge of the design teams the final months of 2025, expanding his responsibilities. Apple's software and hardware design teams were most recently managed by former Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams, who retired from Apple in 2025.

It could also be that Ternus will take over the COO role from Sabih Khan

 

[Circa1984]

They need me to run design. If it sucks, get rid of it, if it is not ‘human engineered’ go back and rework it until it is easy to use, intuitive and wows the user. Good enough never is … Fats will get it right and keep striving for perfection. I will also use a team of seniors for testing 😉. They point out inconsistencies and non intuitive elements on Apple’s software and hardware products that most of us power users are just used to … but really make no sense to someone new or learning the system. Examples… a dot under an app, wiggling icons, USB-C charge port under the mouse… I have a list of hundreds of things that I would demand change in my first year.

 

[840quadra]

Every time I read his name , my internally dyslexic head jumbles it and sees it as Terminus (like in Foundation).

Anyway,
There were even design flops during the Jobs / Ive days, but I do hope that we return to see innovative approaches to equipment.

The laptop segment hasn't really changed much since the Titanium Powerbook, and early aluminum powerbooks. Later updated with unibody milled chassis which made them more durable.

Touch-Screen isn't the answer, hopefully someone comes up with a truly creative way to advance our larger more powerful portable devices in a way that isn't too sci-fi, or poor to use.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Why don’t the software teams report to Craig Federighi?

Got his hands full overseeing hair and makeup

 

[TVreporter]

Cook: We hope he will Ternus in the right direction.



(I’m here all day, try the veal!)

 

[TheGhostWalker]

I just hope I look as good as John when I'm 50

 

[Falco McGregor]

Not that I've watched that but aren't you forgetting the 500+ $ wheels?

Notable, for sure, but those surprisingly didn't get the audience to literally laugh out loud when the price was announced like the monitor stand.

 

[capamac]

The laptop segment hasn't really changed much since the Titanium Powerbook, and early aluminum powerbooks. Later updated with unibody milled chassis which made them more durable.

Sometimes a tech design is mature, and there's nowhere left to go. The current laptop design is quite good.

Cars today all have a body with four wheels, just like the 1908 Ford Model T. If a design like that works ... whaddya gonna do, really. Apple's software needs attention, however.

 

[capamac]

I dunno anything about Ternus, but what made Jobs great was his sincere appreciation for humanities, the arts, design. That, in, turn made Apple's stuff great. The typical corporate mentality is the opposite of this manner of thinking and I've witnessed such thinking firsthand.

 

[JeziLondon]

It’s a done deal folks this is the new TC. Craig will be cool with it and still get to jump out of planes and stuff.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I’ll never forget – this was the poor guy they made announce the $999 monitor stand

And he did it. And, he’s still working at the company and is thought by some to be one of the options for CEO. I’m sure everyone in a leadership position has had to say the unpopular thing, but being able to say it is the difference between a leader and a hollywood co-producer.

 

[SomeSoftwareGuy]

John Ternus, it's time to make Apple great again!

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

Tim Cook should work part time with Apple
But with different roles because we need a refresh at Apple. Ever since 2021 things has not been good at Apple. 2020 it made sense due to Covíd but 2021-2026 Apple is in the wrong direction and the worst has been how unstable iOS 26 and MacOS Tahoe has been. And the failures of Apple Intelligence and Vision Pro.