Apple CEO Tim Cook Asked About Retirement Again, Here's What He Said

[MacRumors]

In an all-hands meeting with employees on Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook briefly touched on the topic of retirement, but he remained coy about his plans.

"I spend a lot of time thinking about who's in the room five years from now, 10 years from now," said Cook, who was taking questions, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "I am obsessed with this — who's in the room 15 years from now."

A few months ago, the Financial Times reported that Apple was preparing for Cook to step down as soon as early 2026. However, Gurman has previously said that this timeframe "seems unlikely," and that he would be "shocked" if Cook stepped down before the middle of this year. So, Cook may remain CEO through WWDC 2026 at the very least.

Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, is widely viewed as Cook's most likely successor. Last month, Gurman reported that Cook gave oversight of Apple's design teams to Ternus at the end of last year, and he said this move makes it "crystal clear" that Ternus is the leading CEO candidate.

Whenever it happens, there has been speculation that Cook might become the executive chairman of Apple's board of directors after he steps down as CEO. In this position, Cook would retain some control over company decisions.

Cook has been Apple's CEO since August 2011, and he reached the typical retirement age of 65 last year. It is sounding more and more likely that his time in charge of the company is inching towards the end, but it still remains to be seen if he plans to step down in the coming months or if reports have jumped the gun.

Article Link: Apple CEO Tim Cook Asked About Retirement Again, Here's What He Said

 

[Joe Rossignol]

For anyone curious, the Tim Cook goodbye image above is not AI generated, and rather handwritten/handmade by our graphics artist @AngerDanger.

 

[Mactech20]

I wonder sometimes how Apple would have been different if Steve was still around.

 

[syklee26]

that rainbow color...

 

[haunebu]

Bye, Felicia 👋

 

[Astuces iOS]

Good bye old timer !

 

[UMHurricanes34]

Quit thinking about it and do it. The company needs new direction before its soul is permanently lost.

 

[kcwookie]

I wonder sometimes how Apple would have been different if Steve was still around.

We would have far less choice, but things would work far better than we expected. We don't need so many iPhone, watch, and iPad choices. Build one or two and make them great. Build an iMac and a Mac mini. Make them great.

 

[Pitogyro]

Can't go fast enough. All this man knows is how to make money for the shareholders. This isn't Apple. Never was. Hopefully never will be again.

 

[Pitogyro]

For anyone curious, the Tim Cook goodbye image above is not AI generated, and rather handwritten/handmade by our graphics artist @AngerDanger.

Got me excited for a second there. Save these designs for the actual celebration.

 

[I7guy]

Quit thinking about it and do it. The company needs new direction before its soul is permanently lost.

Apple is doomed has been a meme since 2011. It’s the best it’s ever been, objectively. How many years before its souls is permanently lost?

 

[nuckinfutz]

Tim Cooked should stay until they get iOS/MacOS 27 launched and Apple Intelligence finally in customers hands. His expertise is operations and logistics is a very valuable asset but it's time for Apple to usher in a new CEO and let that CEO mold the company the way he seems fit with input from other Executives of course. I think Ternus is the guy though we don't know much about Ternus' views about computing and the future.

Apple's done some "off brand" stuff recently with ads everywhere and self promoting products to the point of annoyance. The Apple users are getting restless. We want our peace and tranquility restored at least in our computing verse.

Tim has done a very mid job and keeping Apple the company that prioritizes design and UI over all others.

 

[biggest father1]

For anyone curious, the Tim Cook goodbye image above is not AI generated, and rather handwritten/handmade by our graphics artist @AngerDanger.

What!?!? I didn't know AngerDanger was a part of the macrumors team! I still remember her animations from a few years back and they were so funny. Glad to see AngerDanger still around!

Edit: just read Ryan's bio and corrected my wording. Thanks!

 

[jarman92]

Truly cannot come soon enough.

 

[code-m]

For anyone curious, the Tim Cook goodbye image above is not AI generated, and rather handwritten/handmade by our graphics artist @AngerDanger.

Not his finest work @AngerDanger.

 

[code-m]

Good bye old timer !

There are many wannabe aspiring armchair CEO on MR, time for some show to put the talk into action. 😝

 

[sully54]

Please think faster, Tim.

 

[code-m]

I can only speak for the kind of person I am, but who the hell at his age wants to be running a company like that and especially lately having to kiss up to Trump!? Retire with your billions and enjoy it before you get too old Tim!

People who genuinely love their work don’t see it as a job but a vision. Steve Jobs selected well in Tim.

While he may not be the most visionary he certainly made Apple more profitable and well known may it be for better or worse. Cannot deny his legacy, age should not dictate if someone is willing and capable by a majority vote of the board.

 

[Nyx1]

announce it now, Disney has already announced it Apple really need to replace him with someone competitive like Steve Jobs who has a great vision.

 

[ridgero]

Cook is cooked.

 

[code-m]

Please think faster, Tim.

It’s a risk, let’s say he has someone in his eye and then months or years later that person departs, time for options.

 

[D-a-a-n]

I wonder sometimes how Apple would have been different if Steve was still around.

The corner radius of windows on MacOS Tahoe would have looked better.

 

[seek3r]

"I spend a lot of time thinking about who's in the room five years from now, 10 years from now," said Cook

Apropos of nothing does it bother anyone else to see mixed spelled out and numerical numbers in an article? Just being absurdly pedantic here I guess, but it sticks out to me like a sore thumb

/get off my lawn! lol

 

[Ursadorable]

I wonder sometimes how Apple would have been different if Steve was still around.

It would have been in a far, far better place. Steve would have fired whoever let iOS and MacOS become so buggy, and UI so ugly.

Steve was the visionary while Cook is the bean counter without vision.

 

[Lioness~]

Cook have no relevance for me as a customer, non, zero, nada - absolutrly nothing.
Above that, I don't like him, at all, either.
I will be really thrilled when a new CEO will announced.

Best time for Apple and customers, since Jobs in his sickness left the company to the cooker.