Cook says he is giving Apple CEO Ternus room to lead

Tim Cook says he is giving Apple chief executive John Ternus room to lead, while focusing on global policy and offering support when his successor requests it. Cook, who became Apple’s executive chairman after leaving the CEO role, described their relationship as built on trust and said he was not meddling in Ternus’s leadership. In an interview in London published October 8, Cook said his responsibilities now center on working with governments and worldwide policy. He said he and Ternus communicate frequently and significantly, and that he is helping his successor in any way Ternus sees fit. These descriptions of their working relationship and Cook’s own conduct come from Cook’s account. Cook said he advised Ternus to make the CEO job his own rather than imitate him or Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Jobs had given Cook similar advice when Cook took over, he said. Cook encouraged Ternus to focus his time on areas where he could add the most value, noting that each leader has different strengths. Cook handed the CEO role to Ternus on September 1, 2026.