Tim Cook Bids Farewell to Apple Community on Last Day as CEO

Apple CEO Tim Cook has marked his final day as chief executive with an emotional farewell message to the company's employees, customers and wider community, bringing an end to a remarkable 15-year tenure at the helm of the technology giant.

Cook, who became Apple's CEO in August 2011, succeeding the late co-founder Steve Jobs, formally leaves the CEO position on August 31, 2026. Beginning September 1, longtime Apple hardware executive John Ternus will take over as CEO. Cook, however, will remain with Apple as executive chairman of the board.

In his farewell message to the Apple community, Cook expressed appreciation for the people who supported the company throughout his leadership.

“My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will.”

Cook thanked Apple's employees and customers, describing them as a constant source of inspiration and saying he was excited about the company's next chapter.

In a separate message to Apple employees, Cook reflected on the privilege of leading the company and said he would miss the work and the team behind it. He also expressed strong confidence in Ternus as his successor.

🍎 A 15-year transformation

Cook inherited Apple at a particularly challenging moment following Jobs' resignation. Over the next decade and a half, he oversaw Apple's expansion from a company heavily associated with the iPhone and Mac into a sprawling technology and services ecosystem.

Under Cook, Apple expanded businesses including Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud and the App Store, while also growing its wearable-device business with products such as the Apple Watch and AirPods.

Apple's market value increased dramatically during his tenure, making the company one of the world's most valuable corporations.

🤖 John Ternus faces a new era

The leadership change comes at a critical moment for Apple.

Ternus, who has served as Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, is taking over as the company faces intense competition in artificial intelligence, particularly from companies developing generative-AI products and assistants.

Apple's delayed AI strategy and the development of a more capable Siri are expected to be among the major challenges confronting the new CEO.

Ternus is also expected to oversee Apple's next generation of products as the company explores new hardware categories, including a potential foldable iPhone.

👋 Cook isn't leaving Apple completely

Despite the headline-grabbing CEO transition, Tim Cook is not retiring from Apple.

His new position as executive chairman means he will continue to have an important role in the company's leadership and strategy, while Ternus assumes responsibility for Apple's day-to-day operations as CEO.

🌍 The end of an era

Cook's departure from the CEO position marks one of the most significant leadership changes in Apple's modern history.

For 15 years, he successfully guided Apple beyond the Steve Jobs era, emphasizing operational efficiency, services, global expansion and long-term business growth. His final message focused less on financial achievements and more on people, teamwork and Apple's culture.

As John Ternus takes charge on September 1, the central question for Apple will be whether the new CEO can maintain Cook's extraordinary business momentum while accelerating Apple's response to the rapidly changing AI landscape.

Tim Cook's CEO era ends today—but his Apple story is far from over.