Tim Cook Marks Last Day as Apple CEO Ahead of Leadership Handover

Tim Cook last day as Apple CEO came on August 31, 2026, ending a tenure he held since 2011, according to NDTV. In a post shared on X, Cook thanked the Apple community for its support, saying "my gratitude is endless, and I'm excited for the next chapter."

John Ternus will officially take over as Apple's new CEO on September 1, 2026, marking the company's biggest leadership change since Cook became CEO in 2011. Cook will not fully leave Apple after Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO; he will become the company's Executive Chairman, according to NDTV.

When Cook took over as chief executive in August 2011, following Steve Jobs' second departure from Apple amid his deteriorating health, expectations were high alongside strong doubts about whether he could continue the company's run of innovation and growth. Cook was widely viewed as an operations and supply-chain expert rather than a traditional product leader like Jobs.

Fifteen years later, Apple's market capitalisation has surged from roughly $350 billion to around $4 trillion, with its stock rising nearly 25-fold. Apple shares, which traded at about $13 when Cook assumed the role, have risen 2,359.2% to $319.70 at the latest close, the report said.

Apple's annual revenue grew from about $108 billion in 2011 to more than $400 billion, supported by resilient iPhone demand, a rapidly growing services business and continued global expansion. Services such as the App Store, Apple Music and Apple Pay have become an increasingly important growth engine under Cook's leadership, NDTV reported.

More information on Cook's tenure is available through Apple's official leadership page. Additional details on Ternus's background and the broader leadership transition are covered in a related report on John Ternus becoming Apple's new CEO as Tim Cook steps down.