Apple’s head of UI design is leaving for Meta | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Apple’s head of UI design is leaving for MetaComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechAppleCloseApplePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AppleApple’s head of UI design is leaving for MetaAlan Dye will take over the design of Meta’s hardware, software, and AI integration on December 31st.Alan Dye will take over the design of Meta’s hardware, software, and AI integration on December 31st.by Jay PetersCloseJay PetersSenior ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay PetersDec 3, 2025, 8:13 PM UTCLinkShareImage: AppleJay PetersCloseJay PetersPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay Peters is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.Alan Dye, who has led Apple’s UI design team since 2015, is leaving to join Meta as its chief design officer, Bloomberg reports. He’ll join Meta on December 31st, and Meta is opening a design studio and giving Dye oversight of design for “hardware, software and AI integration for its interfaces,” according to Bloomberg. Dye will report to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth.Designer Steve Lemay will replace Dye at Apple, the company confirmed to Bloomberg. “Steve Lemay has played a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999,” CEO Tim Cook told Bloomberg in a statement. “He has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple’s culture of collaboration and creativity.” Following the recent retirement of former COO Jeff Williams, Apple’s design team now reports to Tim Cook.Apple and Meta didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.Dye’s departure is the latest leadership change at Apple, and another one of many top designers who have left the company in the last several years. Williams officially left Apple in November, and the company announced earlier this week that AI chief John Giannandrea would be stepping down. 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Alan Dye, a pivotal figure in Apple’s user interface design since 2015, is departing the tech giant to assume the role of Chief Design Officer at Meta. This transition, slated to occur on December 31st, marks a significant shift in design leadership within both companies. Bloomberg reported the move, detailing Dye’s responsibility for overseeing Meta’s hardware, software, and AI integration across its interfaces. This position reports directly to Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth.

Following Dye’s departure, Steve Lemay will take over his role at Apple. CEO Tim Cook highlighted Lemay’s longstanding contribution, stating that he “has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple’s culture of collaboration and creativity,” referencing Lemay’s involvement in the design of nearly every major Apple interface since 1999. This placement underscores Apple’s commitment to maintaining design standards and its emphasis on a collaborative and innovative approach.

This movement follows a series of other leadership changes at Apple, including the recent retirement of former Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and the upcoming departure of AI chief John Giannandrea, as previously reported by Bloomberg. Furthermore, reports suggest that chips lead Johnny Srouji is evaluating his future with the company, adding to a period of substantial shifts in Apple’s executive structure.

The move is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing rivalry between Apple and Meta, primarily in the areas of augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Meta has been aggressively investing in these technologies, seeking to establish itself as a leader in the metaverse and related applications. Dye’s expertise in user interface design will prove invaluable as Meta continues to develop and refine its technologies, ensuring they are both user-friendly and engaging.

Apple’s decision to replace Dye with Steve Lemay indicates a concerted effort to preserve its design standards and maintain a strong culture of innovation. Lemay's extensive experience within Apple’s design team, spanning nearly two decades, provides a solid foundation for continuing the company's legacy of intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interfaces.

The staffing shifts at Apple also suggest a broader strategic realignment within the company. The departures of Williams, Giannandrea, and potentially Srouji point to a reorganization aimed at prioritizing key technological areas – namely, AI and, arguably, expanding its presence in the evolving landscape of digital spaces. These changes reflect a company proactively adapting to competitive pressures and the rapid advancements occurring within the tech industry.

Ultimately, Alan Dye's decision to join Meta signifies a potential strategic move for the former Apple executive, aligning him with a company deeply invested in shaping the future of immersive technologies. Simultaneously, it represents a moment of transition for Apple, as it seeks to maintain its design leadership while navigating an increasingly competitive and technologically dynamic environment.