Gurman: Tim Cook Likely to Remain Apple CEO Until at Least Mid-2026 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Gurman: Tim Cook Likely to Remain Apple CEO Until at Least Mid-2026

by

Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that Apple is preparing for Tim Cook to step down as CEO of the company "as soon as next year."

Tim Cook MacBook
While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to explain that an announcement early in the year would allow for a smooth leadership transition, ahead of Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June and iPhone event in September.

However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he would be "shocked" if Cook steps down between late January and June next year.

"Based on everything I've learned in recent weeks, I don't believe a departure by the middle of next year is likely," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "In fact, I would be shocked if Cook steps down in the time frame outlined by the FT."

There have been "few signs internally" that Cook is about to step down, he added.

Gurman described the Financial Times report as "premature" and "simply false."

Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, is widely viewed as Cook's most likely successor whenever the time comes.

Cook, who turned 65 this year, has been Apple's CEO since August 2011.

MacRumors x Bloomberg Banner Cool

Tags: Mark Gurman, Tim Cook

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium

New Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 Features Revealed

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:54 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today further outlined what to expect from the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 set to be unveiled on September 9. While it was initially rumored that Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch this year, Gurman reiterated that he does not expect the Series 12 or Ultra 4 to have any major design changes compared to the current Series 11 and Ultra 3 models. ...
Read Full Article • 156 comments
Apple Event Logo

Apple Reportedly Plans to Release These 14 Products by Early Next Year

Friday September 4, 2026 6:55 am PDT by
Apple will be holding its next event on Wednesday, September 9 to unveil its latest iPhones and Apple Watches, but that is not all, according to a new report. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared a long list of products that he expects Apple to unveil between next week and early 2027. Our list below summarizes Gurman's reporting and mixes in some other rumors. iPhones iPhone 18 Pro: A2...
Read Full Article • 29 comments
airpods 4 new new orange

Beyond iPhone 18 Pro: AirPods 5 in September, iPad Mini With OLED Display in October

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:25 am PDT by
In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that AirPods 5 will be released as early as this September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, a foldable iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Apple is holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. He also reiterated that he expects an iPad mini with an OLED display and...
Read Full Article • 18 comments

Top Rated Comments

D
D-a-a-n
10 months ago

I wonder how the market will react when he eventually steps down? And how Macrumors will react :D:D ??
As always, the people on Macrumors will react calmly and in a nuanced way, in touch with reality.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
sniffies
10 months ago
Any chance the new CEO could fix auto-syncing of iCloud Mail notification badges between iOS and macOS?
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
Nyx1
10 months ago
The next CEO will be SIRI
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mvdrl Avatar
mvdrl
10 months ago
Apple has thrived under Tim Cook's leadership, an incredible track record of profitability and growth, averaging 18% annual market cap growth since 2011 when he took on the role. First $1 trillion dollar market cap company, first $3 trillion market cap... I wonder how the market will react when he eventually steps down? And how Macrumors will react :D:D ??
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
navaira Avatar
navaira
10 months ago

But beyond that, where’s the next iPhone-level product? The next paradigm shift?
I’d argue Apple Silicon is a massive paradigm shift.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H.E. Pennypacker Avatar
H.E. Pennypacker
10 months ago

Apple has thrived under Tim Cook's leadership, an incredible track record of profitability and growth, averaging 18% annual market cap growth since 2011 when he took on the role. First $1 trillion dollar market cap company, first $3 trillion market cap... I wonder how the market will react when he eventually steps down? And how Macrumors will react :D:D ??
Yeah, Cook’s track record is insane, 18% annual market-cap growth, first $1T company, first $3T company. No question he’s one of the best operators in business history, and when he steps down the market (and MacRumors) will absolutely lose its mind. But the real question is what has Tim Cook actually done for Apple from an innovation standpoint?

Yes, he oversaw AirPods which basically created the entire true-wireless category and became a massive cultural hit. Huge win. But beyond that, where’s the next iPhone-level product? The next paradigm shift?

Financially he’s crushed it. Operationally he’s unmatched, but in terms of meaningful, era-defining innovation, what’s the big one under Cook?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments