January 26, 2026 – The ongoing debate about when Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down has intensified, with various media outlets offering conflicting timelines.
The Financial Times previously reported that Apple might start preparing for Cook’s departure as early as the beginning of 2026. However, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, in his latest “Power On” newsletter on January 25, stated that this timeline “seems unlikely.”
Back in November last year, Gurman made it clear that he would be “very surprised” if Cook left the CEO position before mid-2026. Based on his assessment, Cook is likely to remain in his role at least until after the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2026.
There are also external opinions suggesting that after stepping down as CEO, Cook might transition to the role of Apple’s board chairman. But the likelihood of this change happening in the short term is considered low. According to MacRumors, Apple’s current board chairman, Arthur D. Levinson, will seek re-election at the shareholders’ meeting on February 24. Apple has also requested shareholders to allow the 75-year-old Levinson to continue serving, citing his significant experience and expertise.
When it comes to potential successors, John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, is seen as the most promising candidate. Gurman revealed that Cook handed over the management responsibilities of Apple’s design team to Ternus at the end of last year, an arrangement that he believes is almost a clear signal of succession.
Cook has been serving as Apple’s CEO since August 2011 and reached the traditional retirement age of 65 last year. While the possibility of his stepping down is increasing, Gurman believes that the transition is more likely to occur in a few months rather than being imminent.
