Cupertino, September 1, 2026: Apple has entered a new leadership era as Tim Cook steps down as chief executive after nearly 15 years at the helm, bringing to a close one of the longest and most consequential CEO tenures in the technology industry. John Ternus, Apple’s longtime hardware engineering chief, officially succeeds Cook as CEO on September 1.

Cook used his final day as CEO to send a personal message to Apple employees, reflecting on his journey and thanking the workforce that helped shape the company during his tenure.

He made clear that his departure is not a departure from Apple itself. Cook is moving into the position of executive chairman of Apple’s board, where he will continue to contribute to selected areas of the business, including engagement with governments and policymakers around the world.

A 15-Year Era Comes to an End

Cook became Apple’s CEO in August 2011, succeeding the company’s co-founder Steve Jobs.

His tenure unfolded during a period of enormous technological and commercial expansion. Apple introduced major new products including the Apple Watch, AirPods and Vision Pro, while continuing to expand its iPhone, iPad and Mac businesses. The company also significantly developed its services operations during the same period.

Cook’s leadership style was different from Jobs’ famously product-focused public persona. He became particularly associated with operational discipline, global supply-chain management and Apple’s expansion into services and new product categories.

Cook’s Emotional Message to Employees

In his final memo, Cook acknowledged that leaving the CEO position was an emotional moment.

He told employees that he would miss the work and the experience of leading Apple, while saying he remained comfortable with his decision.

Rather than presenting his departure as a complete farewell, Cook emphasized that he would continue to be part of the Apple community in his new role.

He also placed much of Apple’s success on its employees, emphasizing the company’s culture and the collective effort behind its products and services.

Why John Ternus?

Cook’s successor is John Ternus, a veteran Apple executive who joined the company in 2001.

Ternus has led Apple’s hardware engineering organization and has been closely involved with major product lines including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods and Apple Watch. Apple announced his appointment in April following a long-term succession-planning process.

Cook has expressed unusually strong confidence in Ternus, saying he takes enormous comfort in handing leadership to someone he considers highly capable of developing products and guiding Apple into its next phase.

What Changes for Apple?

The leadership change does not mean Apple is suddenly abandoning Cook’s strategy.

Ternus inherits a company with a massive global customer base, an extensive hardware ecosystem and a large services business. However, he also faces new challenges, particularly around artificial intelligence, global competition, regulation and the future direction of Apple’s product portfolio.

His promotion also represents a notable shift toward a leader with a deep engineering and hardware background.

Cook Is Still Part of Apple’s Future

One of the most important details is that Cook is not retiring from Apple.

As executive chairman, he will remain connected to the company and continue working on selected strategic matters. Apple has specifically said his new responsibilities will include engagement with policymakers around the world.

That means the transition is better understood as a change in responsibilities rather than a complete separation.

The Beginning of the Ternus Era

John Ternus now faces the challenge of leading Apple through its next chapter while preserving the company’s distinctive culture and enormous global influence.

For Cook, the CEO chapter ends after almost 15 years. For Ternus, the most important leadership assignment of his career has just begun.

The transition represents more than a change of name at the top of Apple. It marks the beginning of a new era for one of the world’s most influential technology companies—one in which the company will have to balance its established strengths in hardware and services with rapidly changing technologies and an increasingly competitive global market.