Apple's Tim Cook Steps Down After 15 Years as CEO

Tim Cook is leaving his position as Apple's top leader, with the change taking effect on September 1,2026. John Ternus, who currently leads Apple's hardware team, will take over as the new CEO.

Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, will stay with the company in a new role as executive chairman. In this position, he'll continue helping with important company matters, especially working with government leaders around the world.

Cook expressed gratitude for his time leading Apple, saying it has been "the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple". He shared that he cherished reading daily messages from Apple customers about how the company's products touched their lives.

Cook took over leadership when Steve Jobs passed away just six weeks after handing him the job. Under his watch, Apple grew to become a $4 trillion company.

Apple said the leadership change followed careful, long-term planning and was approved by the company's board of directors.