Tim Cook Says He's 'Healthy,' Plans to Remain at Apple 'for a Long Time'

[MacRumors]

Tim Cook today told employees he plans to be at Apple "for a long time" in his new role as executive chairman. Cook shared the information in an all-hands meeting detailed by Bloomberg.

"I am healthy. My energy is high, and I plan to be in this role for a long time," said Cook. He said he will support current hardware engineering chief John Ternus in any way necessary when Ternus takes over as CEO, and he plans to continue to offer knowledge and experience whenever it's needed. "Apple will be my top priority," he said. "It's who I am at my core, and I can't imagine it any other way."

Cook is stepping down from his role as Apple CEO, handing the company over to Ternus. Apple announced the upcoming change yesterday, and said that Cook will remain on as executive chairman, where he will "assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world."

During the meeting, Cook told employees that he thinks he can help with strengthening Apple's global relationships. When asked why he is stepping down now, Cook said that it was a good time because Apple is "doing great," the product lineup is "incredible," and Ternus is ready for the role. "These three things all intersected, and they intersect now. And so now was the time," said Cook.

Cook is set to remain CEO through September 1, 2026, at which point he will move into his new role and Ternus will take over as CEO. Cook will see Apple through WWDC, but Ternus will be leading the company by the time the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold launch.

Article Link: Tim Cook Says He's 'Healthy,' Plans to Remain at Apple 'for a Long Time'

 

[BeatsByTim]

Tim Cook is getting out just before the iPhone Fold bombs. Good idea.

 

[klasma]

Cook said that it was a good time because Apple is "doing great," the product lineup is "incredible," and Ternus is ready for the role. "These three things all intersected, and they intersect now. And so now was the time," said Cook.

Sounds like a true iPhone moment!

 

[Black_Mage]

Meanwhile where is Phil Schiller? He used to be part of the keynotes. Is he hiding?

 

[Anonymous123]

I wish he’d just stay away from Apple entirely.

 

[odyssey924]

I'm hoping we go back to in-person keynotes this Fall. Only time will tell...

 

[turbineseaplane]

Lotsa time to chill with his Vision Pro now!

 

[zellzoi]

This will make both WWDC and the September Apple Event very interesting. Wonder how they'll address this

 

[BeatsByTim]

Lotsa time to chill with his Vision Pro now!

View attachment 2623859

I wonder if he still claims to use it every day.

 

[GMShadow]

Meanwhile where is Phil Schiller? He used to be part of the keynotes. Is he hiding?

He's 65 and semi-retired, he's just an Apple Fellow now. Joz is head of marketing and has been for almost six years.

 

[ikramerica]

He’s old. Tail end of the boomers, and retiring at a reasonable age so the next generation can take over.

Unlike all our geriatric politicians who think it’s a lifetime appointment because losing elections as an incumbent is rare.

 

[zahuh]

Very nice of Tim to retire before the iPhone Ultra so John gets a nice big product launch at the start. Could have easily launched it and the MacBook Pro Ultra and then left.

 

[antiprotest]

The new role is better for him. He seems pretty good at talking to policy makers and such. But someone else should have taken over the CEO role for a while now.

 

[code-m]

Odd thing for Tim to say that he is “healthy”, was there any concern about his health as to why he is retiring from the CEO position, considering he will be 66 years soon and it’s normal.

 

[code-m]

The new role is better for him. He seems pretty good at talking to policy makers and such. But someone else should have taken over the CEO role for a while now.

Stock options have terms, Cook is moving out of the role due to his age.

 

[HouseLannister]

Tim Cook is getting out just before the iPhone Fold bombs. Good idea.

Nope. He set Ternus up for success by giving him control at what is going to be the best sales quarter in Apple's history. Not just a new folding phone to be excited about. There are just so many rumored products that have not launched because of Siri. They come out strong with an actual, funtional digitial assistant and then follow it up with new AppleTV, the new smart doorbell, the new security camera, the HomePod with a screen, maybe an AI pendant, maybe an iPad with a robot arm, etc. etc. Expect dozens of products over the first few months.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I wonder if he still claims to use it every day.

I have a feeling he never actually did. 😉

 

[ghost187]

MacBook Neo might go down as his most successful new product launch, because supply chain was Tim’s specialty.

 

[adamjackson]

I guess I'm just wired differently but with a net worth in the 3-4 billion range, I'd have retired a long time ago.

 

[winxmac]

Why just now (1st September 2026) and not back in 2015/2016? 10 years too late but getting a new Apple CEO at this point in time is still a good thing.

When Steve Jobs was still the CEO, the iPhone design was only used for 2 years but with Tim Cook, it was used for 4 to 5 years.

What would be the iPhone lineup since 2016/2017 had John Ternus became CEO back in 2015/2016?

 

[ikramerica]

I have a feeling he never actually did. 😉

Use it for what? A footrest? A decoration?

 

[m240gunner0331]

Yeah he said that a few months ago about staying as CEO too

 

[Lioness~]

I guess I'm just wired differently but with a net worth in the 3-4 billion range, I'd have retired a long time ago.

But Timmy don't know anything else then heading over to Apple before anyone else is even avake.
How will the guy fill his time now?

 

[sunapple]

Tim Cook is getting out just before the iPhone Fold bombs. Good idea.

Rumours were wrong, it's Tim who folded.

 

[mlayer]

Why just now (1st September 2026) and not back in 2015/2016? 10 years too late but getting a new Apple CEO at this point in time is still a good thing.

When Steve Jobs was still the CEO, the iPhone design was only used for 2 years but with Tim Cook, it was used for 4 to 5 years.

What would be the iPhone lineup since 2016/2017 had John Ternus became CEO back in 2015/2016?

Ternus hadn't earned the job at that point. Apple was about to descend into the depths of Intel Skylake and butterfly keyboard struggles, which only got corrected with M1. That's when Ternus earned his stripes with an assist by Srouji.