Tim Cook’s emotional farewell memo as Apple CEO: ‘My title changes tomorrow, but…’

Tim Cook has signed off as Apple CEO with an emotional final memo to employees, thanking the company’s workforce and reflecting on his years leading the technology giant.

In the message, Cook said his departure from the CEO role was a moment he had always known would arrive, but admitted that it was still difficult to believe it had come.

“I love this company and the team behind it,” Cook wrote, describing serving as Apple’s leader as “the privilege of a lifetime”.

“My title changes tomorrow, but ...”

Cook shared an emotional message on social media platform X, saying his title would change but his connection with the Apple community would remain unchanged.

“Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO,” Cook wrote.

“My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will,” he added, thanking employees for being a “constant source of inspiration.”

Cook also expressed his gratitude for his time leading the company, saying: “My gratitude is endless, and I’m excited for the next chapter!”

Cook wrote on social media platform X: "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 credits Apple employees for his success

Reflecting on his tenure, Cook said whatever success he had achieved as CEO was largely because of Apple’s employees.

“The truth is, whatever there is to say about my success, I know it is all because of you,” he wrote.

Cook praised Apple’s workforce as an “extraordinary team of people”, saying he had never before encountered or worked with such a group.

He also highlighted Apple’s culture as one of the things he was most proud of — something he said could not be captured in an annual report.

“I am most proud of what an annual report could never capture,” Cook wrote, adding that Apple was “proof that culture triumphs over everything.”

‘Leave the world better than we found it’

Cook said Apple’s purpose extends beyond its products and financial performance. He pointed to the company’s belief that its work matters and that employees have a responsibility to improve the world.

“We share a belief that what we build matters and that we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to leave the world better than we found it,” he wrote.

He said that sense of purpose was already present in Apple employees before they joined the company and continued to drive their work.

‘Dent in the universe’

Cook also reflected on the collective achievements of Apple employees, saying the company had built something far greater than what any individual could have accomplished alone.

“We bring out the best in each other. We lift each other up,” he wrote.

Referencing Steve Jobs, Cook said employees had made it possible to leave their “‘dent in the universe’”, a phrase Jobs had famously used when describing the impact Apple could have.

“How fortunate we are. How fortunate I am,” Cook wrote.

Cook to remain at Apple

While stepping down as CEO, Cook made clear that he is not leaving Apple.

He said he was stepping away from a role he had “loved deeply” but remained “completely at peace” with the decision.

Cook also expressed confidence in his successor, John, whom he described as “brilliant and wonderful and capable”.

“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,” Cook wrote.

‘I look forward to seeing you’

Concluding his message, Cook thanked Apple employees for the honour of serving as their CEO and urged them to remain proud of being part of the company.

“Most of all, I hope you will continue to be proud to be part of this remarkable place we call Apple and always give it your very best,” he wrote.

Cook said he would continue working at Apple in his new role and looked forward to meeting employees at Apple Park and around the world.

“I look forward to seeing you in my new role at Apple Park and around the world,” he concluded.

Cook says he has ‘enormous comfort’ in John Ternus’ leadership

Cook also told in an email to Apple employees that he will remain with Apple as executive chairman, continuing to play a key role in the company’s engagement with governments around the world.

Cook, who succeeded Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in August 2011, said leaving the CEO position marked the end of a role he had deeply enjoyed.

He added that he would miss the work “in ways I can only begin to imagine”, while saying he remained “completely at peace” with his decision.

Cook expressed strong confidence in John Ternus, who is taking over as Apple’s CEO.

He said he drew “enormous comfort” from handing over leadership to Ternus, describing him as highly capable of leading the company into its next chapter.

“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,” Cook said.

Ternus has been prominent within Apple’s hardware organisation and has played a key role in the development of the company’s major products.

Although Cook is leaving the CEO role, he is not leaving Apple.

In his new position as executive chairman, Cook is expected to continue focusing on important external relationships, including Apple’s dealings with governments.

That includes working with authorities in major markets such as the United States and China, where Apple has significant business interests and supply-chain operations.