Today marks Tim Cook’s final day as Apple CEO, ending a historic 15-year run at the top of the company before John Ternus officially takes over on September 1.
Cook became Apple CEO in 2011, succeeding Steve Jobs and leading the company through one of the most successful periods in its history. During his time as chief executive, Apple expanded far beyond the iPhone, launching major new products and services including Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, Apple TV+, and the continued growth of Apple’s Services business.
Tim Cook’s final day as Apple CEO
Cook’s final day as Apple CEO comes after Apple announced earlier this year that he would step down from the role and move to the position of Executive Chairman, with Ternus named as his successor.
The leadership change was first confirmed in April, when Apple said Ternus, the company’s longtime hardware engineering chief, would become its next CEO. The Apple Post reported at the time that the move would mark Apple’s biggest leadership transition since Cook took over from Jobs more than a decade ago.
The transition means Cook will remain closely involved with Apple, but day-to-day leadership of the company will pass to Ternus, who has spent 25 years at Apple and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering.
Cook leaves the CEO role after overseeing major growth across Apple’s product lineup, retail business, services division, and global operations. Under his leadership, Apple became one of the world’s most valuable companies, while continuing to set new records for revenue, profit, and active devices.
Cook’s final months as CEO have also included several milestone moments, including his final Apple earnings call as chief executive. The Apple Post covered Cook’s final earnings call earlier this summer, as Apple reported record June quarter results ahead of the leadership handover.
John Ternus becomes Apple CEO tomorrow
John Ternus becomes Apple CEO tomorrow, marking Apple’s biggest leadership change since Cook became chief executive in 2011.
Ternus has played a major role in the development of some of Apple’s most important hardware products, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. The Apple Post has previously detailed Ternus’s rise inside Apple, including his long history with the company and growing public role across major product launches.
Cook has publicly praised Ternus ahead of the transition, calling him the “perfect person” to lead Apple. Speaking in a recent interview, Cook said the leadership handover was going “over the top great” and that Apple deserved the smoothest possible transition.
Ternus’s first major event as CEO is expected to come almost immediately, with Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event scheduled for September 9. The event is expected to include the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, rumored to launch as iPhone Ultra.
What happens next at Apple?
Although Cook is stepping down as CEO, he is not leaving Apple. As Executive Chairman, he is expected to continue advising the company and supporting the transition as Ternus takes charge.
The timing of the handover is significant. Apple is preparing to launch iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, Siri AI, new Apple Watch models, and what could be the company’s first foldable iPhone.
Apple has already confirmed its next major product event for September 9, with The Apple Post reporting on the announcement earlier this week. The event is expected to become Ternus’s first major keynote as Apple CEO, setting the tone for the company’s next era.
For a full breakdown of what Apple is expected to announce, including the rumored iPhone Ultra, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5, read The Apple Post’s September event preview.
For Apple, September 1 marks the beginning of a new era. For Cook, today closes one of the most important leadership chapters in modern technology, ending his time as Apple CEO after 15 years at the top.