Today marks Tim Cook's last day as Apple's CEO after 15 years at the helm of the Cupertino giant. To celebrate this moment and thank the team, Cook sent a memo to employees, obtained by 9to5Mac, reflecting on his journey and the legacy he leaves behind. The transition to John Ternus, who takes over tomorrow, was accompanied by words of great esteem and confidence.
In his message, Cook emphasizes how privileged he has been to lead such an extraordinary team and how much he loves the company. He writes that he takes enormous comfort in handing the helm to someone as brilliant and capable as Ternus, noting that few people understand what it takes to build products that change the world like he does. Although he steps down from the role, Cook does not leave Apple, but will continue to work in a new capacity, staying close to the company and his colleagues.
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The value of corporate culture and Steve Jobs' legacy
Cook recalls how Apple's culture is the true secret of its success. He states that the shared belief in building products that leave the world better than we found it is what makes the company special. This purpose, he says, lives in every employee even before they joined Apple and drives their daily work. Recalling Steve Jobs' famous phrase about leaving a dent in the universe, Cook reiterates that it is thanks to the people and their values that Apple has achieved extraordinary feats.
A passing of the torch towards the future with John Ternus
The new CEO, John Ternus, is described by Cook as a brilliant and capable person with a deep understanding of what it takes to innovate. Cook expresses excitement about Ternus' leadership and the future of Apple. The transition occurs at a delicate time, with the company continuing to dominate the tech market but also facing new challenges such as competition and regulations. Cook assures that the team is ready to face everything with the same spirit of collaboration that has distinguished his tenure. Many analysts view this change as continuity rather than a break, given the close collaboration between the two over the years.
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Cook's farewell marks the end of an era but also the beginning of a new phase for Apple. Employees welcomed the memo with affection and gratitude, recognizing Cook's fundamental contribution in transforming Apple into one of the most valuable companies in the world. As the new chapter opens, the tech community watches Ternus' moves closely, confident that the path forged by Cook will continue to guide innovation. Tim Cook's legacy is not only in the products but in the culture he cultivated, which will remain the true engine of Apple. For those who want to delve deeper, the leadership change had already been widely discussed when Tim Cook announced his succession, and now it becomes official. His vision and leadership style have been praised by industry experts, as also reported in authoritative sources like Wikipedia. With this transition, Apple looks to the future with renewed energy, ready to write new chapters of innovation.
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Source: https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/31/read-tim-cooks-full-memo-to-apple-employees-on-his-last-day-as-ceo
