Tim Cook posts farewell message on his final day as Apple CEO

Apple Inc. announced that Tim Cook will step down as chief executive officer effective August 31, 2026, marking the end of a 15‑year tenure that began after Steve Jobs’ death in 2011. In a farewell tweet, Cook thanked the “Apple community” for its inspiration and expressed gratitude for his time leading the company, which under his direction expanded the iPhone platform and solidified Apple’s position as a dominant global technology firm with a presence in the daily lives of billions. During his leadership, Apple grew its market capitalization to become one of the world’s most valuable companies and broadened its product and services portfolio, including wearables, services, and renewable‑energy initiatives.

The board has named John Ternus, currently senior vice president of hardware engineering, as the incoming CEO, with the transition slated to occur on September 1, 2026. Ternus is expected to continue the strategic focus on hardware innovation and ecosystem integration that has characterized Apple’s recent growth. The company’s board released a statement affirming confidence in Ternus’s ability to guide Apple forward while acknowledging Cook’s contributions to the firm’s sustained success.