Tim Cook, the executive who guided Apple to a historic $4 trillion valuation and shaped its direction after Steve Jobs, will step down as chief executive, the company announced Monday.
He will be succeeded by John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, who is set to assume the role on September 1.
Cook will transition to executive chairman of the board and remain CEO through the summer to oversee a smooth handover.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company,” Cook said in a press release.
The leadership change comes after a wave of executive exits in late 2025, including the company’s AI chief, policy head and a senior design leader.
Cook, who took over as CEO in 2011 after serving as chief operating officer, expanded Apple’s reach far beyond its core lineup of the Mac, iPod and iPhone.
During his tenure, the company deepened its presence in sectors such as entertainment, health and wearable technology.
He also led Apple through major global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and trade tensions between the United States and China under Donald Trump.
Cook’s legacy
While Jobs introduced the iPhone, Cook transformed it into the backbone of a broader ecosystem that powered successful products like the Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple TV+.
These products thrived largely due to the iPhone’s global dominance as the second-most popular smartphone.
Under Cook, Apple’s services division grew into its second-largest business segment after the iPhone, while the Apple Watch was frequently positioned as a device capable of saving lives. It also marked the first entirely new product category launched during his leadership.
In a letter published on Apple’s website, Cook reflected on his time at the company.
“You share little pieces of your lives with me and tell me things you want me to know about how Apple has touched you,” he wrote, adding that the new role is a transition and “not goodbye.”
Despite these achievements, Apple has faced challenges in newer areas such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
The Vision Pro headset remains a niche product, and a major Siri upgrade aimed at competing with ChatGPT and Gemini has been delayed, raising concerns among analysts about the company’s readiness for an AI-driven future.
Beyond products, Cook also managed Apple’s relationship with Trump across both presidencies, including a pledge to invest $600 billion in expanding the company’s US operations amid pressure to localize iPhone production.
Earlier this year, he presented Trump with a custom glass plaque sourced from a US supplier.
He also steered Apple through the pandemic, making early decisions to shut down retail stores globally and manage disruptions to its China-based supply chain.
The next chapter under Ternus
Ternus, a long-serving Apple executive, has long been viewed as Cook’s likely successor.
He joined Apple’s product design team in 2001, rose to vice president of hardware engineering in 2013 and became senior vice president in 2021.
He has been instrumental in the development of key products such as the iPad and AirPods, and recently oversaw the launch of the MacBook Neo, Apple’s first low-cost MacBook.
“I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century,” Ternus said in a press release.
He takes charge at a crucial moment for Apple, with expectations of major updates to flagship products.
The company is anticipated to unveil a significant Siri overhaul at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, aimed at closing the gap with AI competitors. Reports also suggest Apple is preparing to introduce its first foldable iPhone in September.
“Cook leaves a lasting legacy in Cupertino,” Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said in a research note. “And there will be a lot of pressure on Ternus to produce success out of the gates especially on the AI front.”
