Today marks the end of Tim Cook’s time as the CEO of Apple. After leading the company for 15 years, Cook has stepped down from his role and has now become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors. In an emotional post on X, Cook thanked the Apple community and said his “gratitude is endless”, and he is excited for the next chapter. His exit comes just ahead of Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ event, where it will likely unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Cook shared the message on X on his final day as CEO. He wrote, “My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration. My gratitude is endless, and I’m excited for the next chapter!”
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Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO. My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration. My gratitude is endless, and I’m excited for the next chapter!
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 31, 2026
In a separate memo to Apple employees, reported by Bloomberg, Cook reflected on his long journey as CEO. He said that while he always knew the day would come, it was still difficult to believe that he was writing his farewell message.
Cook gave much of the credit for his success to Apple’s employees. He said, “Whatever there is to say about my success, I know it is all because of you. You have brought out the best in me. In all my life, I have never seen or been with such an extraordinary team of people before, and every day I get to see more examples of that.”
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“We have made it possible to leave our ‘dent in the universe,’ as Steve once described it, because of who we are and what we believe, because of what we value and how we see the world,” he wrote in the memo.
Cook further said he will miss leading the company but feels confident about handing over the role to John Ternus, whom he described as “brilliant and wonderful and capable.”
Cook also expressed his excitement about the next phase of his career at Apple. “I look forward to seeing you in my new role at Apple Park and around the world,” he wrote in the memo.