Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down. The top executive led the company for 15 years, taking over in 2011 after the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs . This was announced in the company’s official press release.
Cook will remain acting CEO until September 1. He will then transition to the position of executive chairman of the board of directors.
Cook will assist in several aspects of the company’s operations, including interaction with policymakers around the world.
Apple press release
Cook’s successor has not yet been officially announced, but John Ternus, Apple’s chief hardware engineer, is likely to take over as CEO. He oversees the development of the company’s products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Last year, Apple already had personnel changes.
In November 2025, one of the company’s key figures also left his position – Apple industrial designer Abidur Chowdhury. He is considered the primary creator of the ultra-thin iPhone Air, which, according to analysts, failed in the market due to low demand.
However, according to Bloomberg sources, his departure was not related to the device’s poor sales. Chowdhury chose an artificial intelligence startup over the IT giant.
Photo: Brendan McDermid / Reuters
At the same time, it became known that many designers and engineers were leaving Apple, also choosing to work at various AI startups. Some of them went to work for Apple’s chief design officer, Jony Ive, who had worked with Steve Jobs.
Rumors of Cook’s possible departure began back in 2025.
In October 2025, Bloomberg reported that Cook could soon leave his position, prompting Apple to allegedly increase its focus on Ternus. At the same time, experts noted that, although the company had long maintained a “remarkably stable leadership team,” Cook’s departure could be a serious blow.
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