Tim Cook is set to resign as CEO of Apple, after steering one of the world’s most significant tech firms for 15 years. He will remain at Apple as the board chairman, with John Ternus poised to take over as the new chief executive officer. Apple publicly announced the leadership transition plans on April 20, 2026, validating the speculations that Cook’s time as CEO would conclude in 2026. The announcement of the succession was accompanied by communications from Tim Cook directed to the public and Apple staff, reflecting on his journey at Apple. Cook revisited several products that Apple launched during his leadership, highlighting the Apple Watch as his top choice.
In a Community Letter from Tim, the CEO revealed that he has begun his mornings the same way for the last 15 years by reviewing his emails and reading feedback from Apple customers. Cook referenced the Apple Watch in the second paragraph, prior to mentioning other products. “You share little snippets of your lives with me and recount experiences you want me to know about how Apple has impacted you. About the occasion when your mother was rescued by her Apple Watch,” Cook noted. “About the ideal selfie you took at the peak of a mountain that felt insurmountable. You express gratitude for how Mac has transformed your work capabilities and occasionally tease me because something important to you isn’t functioning correctly.”
The Apple Watch made its debut in September 2014, although Apple did not begin sales until the following spring. Tim Cook described the smartwatch as “the most personal product we’ve ever created.”