Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO Today: Here’s What He Built Over 15 Years

After more than 15 years at the top, Tim Cook is reportedly preparing to step down as Apple CEO, marking the end of one of the longest and most closely watched leadership eras in the technology industry. Today, August 31, is reportedly Cook's final day as CEO, with John Ternus expected to take over from September 1, 2026.

Cook is not expected to disappear from Apple, however. The reported succession plan would see him move into the role of executive chairman, keeping him involved in some of the company's most important external relationships and strategic decisions.

Tim Cook's Apple Legacy Goes Far Beyond the iPhone

Cook took over as Apple CEO in 2011, following Steve Jobs. While he inherited a company famous for its iconic products, his tenure saw Apple expand its hardware ecosystem, services business and global reach significantly.

Over the years, Apple launched or introduced several major products and technologies under Cook's leadership, including:

• iPhone 4S through the iPhone 17 series
• Apple Watch
• AirPods
• Apple Vision Pro
• Apple Pencil
• HomePod
• Apple Silicon
• MagSafe ecosystem
• Face ID
• Apple Music
• Apple TV
• Apple Pay

The list highlights how Apple's identity evolved during Cook's tenure. The company moved beyond being primarily an iPhone and Mac maker to building a much broader ecosystem spanning wearables, spatial computing, services, payments and custom silicon.

John Ternus Set to Lead Apple Into Its Next Era

John Ternus is reportedly set to become Apple's next CEO. The longtime hardware executive has played a major role in the company's product development and has been closely associated with its iPhone, iPad and Mac hardware strategies.

His appointment would represent a relatively familiar choice for Apple, prioritising product development and execution rather than signalling a dramatic change in direction.

Ternus will nevertheless inherit a company facing several major challenges. Apple is under pressure to demonstrate meaningful progress in artificial intelligence, while smartphone upgrade cycles have slowed and competition in premium devices continues to intensify. Regulatory scrutiny across major markets is another issue facing the company.

Tim Cook Could Still Handle Apple's Most Sensitive Relationships

Although Cook would step away from day-to-day management, his experience could remain valuable to Apple.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Cook has told Ternus that he plans to continue handling Apple's relationships with US President Donald Trump and the Chinese government. If the reported arrangement goes ahead, Ternus would be able to concentrate on Apple's products and operations while Cook remains involved in high-level government and regulatory matters.

That could be particularly significant given Apple's dependence on China for parts of its supply chain and manufacturing, alongside the company's growing efforts to diversify production.

The End of the Cook Era

Cook's tenure has transformed Apple into a significantly larger and more diversified technology company. Since taking over from Jobs, he has overseen the expansion of services, wearables and Apple's custom silicon strategy while maintaining the iPhone as the centre of the ecosystem.

His departure from the CEO role would therefore be more than a change in title. It would mark the beginning of Apple's first major leadership transition in more than a decade.

With Ternus taking control of Apple's day-to-day operations and Cook potentially remaining as executive chairman, the company appears to be aiming for continuity rather than a clean break.

For Apple, the biggest question now is whether Ternus can build the company's next major growth chapter while preserving the product discipline and ecosystem that defined the Cook era.