What are Tim Cook's plans after stepping down as CEO of Apple?

Tim Cook plans to spend more time at his vacation home in Palm Springs, California, and engage in more outdoor activities, while still remaining involved with Apple as executive chairman.

Why did Tim Cook decide to step down as CEO now?

While Cook has not explicitly revealed the reasons for his departure, reports suggest it is linked to a desire to focus on personal interests and spend more time outside the corporate environment, despite his ongoing commitment to Apple.

Who is John Ternus, the new CEO of Apple?

John Ternus is Apple's new CEO, promoted from senior vice president of hardware engineering, where he oversaw major product developments, including the iPhone and Apple Silicon transition.

Why is Tim Cook stepping down? What he plans to do at his Palm Springs vacation home after Apple exit

Apple’s long-term CEO Tim Cook has officially stepped down, passing on the role to John Ternus.

Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 13:04:59 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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Apple’s long-term CEO Tim Cook has officially stepped down, passing on the role to John Ternus. This is not a complete exit from the company, as Cook will continue to serve as executive chairman. However, the transition does mark the end of his 15-year tenure as Apple CEO.

Apple CEO Tim Cook thanks guests and officials during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Apple's Advanced Manufacturing Center in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Annie Mulligan) (AP Photo/Annie Mulligan)

Why is Tim Cook stepping down?

Why Cook has not revealed exactly why he stepped down, The Information reported that he plans to spend more time at his vacation home in Palm Springs, California, and “take up more outdoor activities.” He will still remain heavily involved at the company.

Also Read | Tim Cook was happy at Compaq. One meeting with Steve Jobs changed his mind

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Cook wrote in an X post himself, “Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO. My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration. My gratitude is endless, and I’m excited for the next chapter!”

Cook shared an emotional farewell note with employees as he serves his final days as Apple CEO. He thanked the employees in the memo and that he has “enormous comfort in handing the helm to someone as brilliant and wonderful and capable” as Ternus.

Also Read | Quote of the day by Tim Cook as he steps down after 15 years as Apple CEO: ‘Use AI for Humanity’

“I will miss this work in ways I can only begin to imagine, even as I remain completely at peace with my decision. I will miss leading you and being with you for every step,” Cook said in the farewell memo to employees.

“As you know, I am not leaving Apple. But I am stepping away from a role that I have loved deeply. I will miss this work in ways I can only begin to imagine, even as I remain completely at peace with my decision. I will miss leading you and being with you for every step, even as I take enormous comfort in handing the helm to someone as brilliant and wonderful and capable as John. Few people understand what it takes to build products that change the world the way John does and I could not be more excited for his leadership,” he clarified.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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