Tim Cook comments on his last day as Apple CEO

Tim Cook will step down as Apple CEO on September 1, and John Ternus, the company’s hardware engineer, is expected to take over. With the transition expected to take place tomorrow, there have been a lot of headlines about Cook lately.

The last story comes from 9to5Macwho said he got Cook’s full memo to Apple employees on his last day as the company’s CEO.

We’ve pasted the memo as they shared it below:

Team,

Today is my last day as CEO of Apple. It’s a moment that I always knew would come one day, and yet it’s still hard to believe that it has arrived and I write these words. I love this company and the team that supports it, and I couldn’t let this day pass without sending you a message to tell you how grateful I am for the outpouring of affection you’ve sent me, for the way you’ve shown up every day, and, most of all, for the lifelong privilege of being your leader.

The truth is, whatever there is to say about my success, I know it’s because of you. You brought out the best in me. In my entire life, I have never seen or been around such an extraordinary team, and every day I see new examples.

There is something truly special about Apple. I am very proud of what an annual report could never capture. This place is proof that culture conquers all. We share the belief that what we build matters and that we have both the opportunity and responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. This goal is part of what makes this place extraordinary. Apple helps feed it, but I believe it lived in each of you long before you came here. It’s what brought you to this company and what continues to motivate the work you do every day. Together, we have created something far greater than any of us could have imagined or accomplished alone. And that is the secret of our success. We bring out the best in everyone. We lift each other up. We have been allowed to leave our “footprint on the universe,” as Steve once described it, through who we are and what we believe, what we value, and how we see the world. How lucky we are. How lucky I am.

As you know, I’m not leaving Apple. But I’m walking away from a role that I deeply loved. I will miss this job 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 every step of the way, although I find immense comfort in handing over the helm to someone as brilliant, wonderful and capable as John. Few people understand what it takes to create world-changing products like John does and I couldn’t be more excited about his leadership.

I hope you know how much I appreciate you and what an honor it has been to be your CEO. Most of all, I hope you continue to be proud to be a part of this remarkable place we call Apple and always do your best. When we dedicate ourselves to this work, caring for each other and the people we serve, there is no limit to the profound difference we can make.

I look forward to seeing you in my new role at Apple Park and around the world.

With all that I have and all that I am, I am still

Yours,

Tim

Cook also shared a message to customers today.

“Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO,” Cook said in a social media post. “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 can’t wait for the next chapter!”

BloombergMark Gurman of Mark Gurman published a detailed article on Cook and Ternus on Sunday evening. Although unrelated to the CEO transition, the story revealed a previously unpublished detail: Vision Pro’s layoffs apparently extended to employees working on the device’s security, audio engineering, Siri integration, testing, and visionOS.

Gurman also revealed that Apple is looking for an executive bodyguard who must be able to “hike/hike several miles at a time in austere environments.” Cook is a big fan of hiking and America’s national parks, leading Gurman to suspect the job posting is for Cook, who will likely have more time to spend outdoors.

Cook will remain with Apple as the company’s executive chairman.