In an insightful conversation with Wired, Tim Cook shared his thoughts on his long-standing role as the CEO of Apple and his plans for the future. Reflecting on his tenure, Cook referred to his position as “a privilege of a lifetime” and expressed his profound dedication to Apple. “It’s hard to imagine life without Apple,” he said, emphasizing how deeply integrated the company is into his personal and professional life since he joined in 1998. Cook acknowledged that his journey at Apple spans the vast majority of his adult life, underlining his love and commitment to the company. While he affirmed that he hasn’t yet considered stepping down, he revealed that when he does, he will listen to the internal cue that tells him it’s time. He added that only then would he begin thinking about his next chapter, yet for the moment, he feels his work at Apple remains far from over.
As Cook, 64, continues to lead Apple, the question of his succession has become more pronounced, particularly as he ages. “As I age, as my hair turns gray...I get asked that question now more than I used to,” he remarked. This recurring inquiry has sparked widespread speculation about who could succeed him as the next Apple CEO. Over recent months, numerous potential candidates have been floated in the media, with some names emerging as frontrunners.
Among the most discussed candidates is John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering. Ternus, who has been with Apple for over 23 years, has been instrumental in shaping some of the company’s most iconic products, including the iPhone, iPad, and AirPods. His leadership role in overseeing the transition of the Mac to Apple Silicon has also been a key highlight of his career. Ternus’s deep understanding of Apple’s hardware engineering, coupled with his long tenure at the company, positions him as a strong and capable candidate to eventually take the helm of the tech giant.
In addition to Ternus, Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, has long been seen as a likely successor. Williams, who has held this role for several years, is widely regarded for his operational expertise and leadership. His deep knowledge of Apple’s business operations and his longstanding presence at the company make him a well-known figure within the company and the broader tech industry. However, at 61, Williams’s age has become a subject of discussion, with some speculating that Apple’s board may be inclined to choose someone with a longer runway for leadership, similar to the extended tenures of Steve Jobs and Tim Cook himself.
Beyond Ternus and Williams, other notable names have surfaced in the conversation, though they are generally considered less likely to be tapped as the next CEO. Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of software engineering, is another figure mentioned, largely due to his influential role in developing and overseeing key software products such as macOS, iOS, and iCloud. Similarly, Dan Riccio, who serves as the senior vice president of hardware engineering, and Deirdre O’Brien, the senior vice president of retail, have also been speculated to be potential candidates, although their candidacies are not seen as the most likely. Additionally, Apple Fellow Phil Schiller, a long-serving executive, is sometimes considered in these discussions, though his current role and more limited public-facing position make him less of a contender for the top job.
Despite these potential successors, the transition of leadership at Apple is viewed with a great deal of caution, given the company’s ongoing success and the profound impact of its CEO in shaping its direction. Tim Cook’s leadership has been credited with not only maintaining but enhancing Apple’s stature as one of the most valuable and innovative companies in the world. Under his stewardship, Apple has expanded into new product categories, significantly grown its services business, and maintained a commitment to privacy and user experience that has helped solidify its brand identity.
However, with Cook’s eventual departure inevitable, the question of who will succeed him remains a crucial one. Apple’s board will undoubtedly weigh numerous factors, including the candidate's ability to sustain Apple’s legacy of innovation, its leadership capabilities, and its ability to navigate an increasingly complex and competitive tech landscape. While no official timeline has been announced, the buzz surrounding Cook’s eventual departure and succession has prompted Apple to plan for a seamless transition that will secure the company’s future leadership for years to come.
As for Cook himself, he remains dedicated to his current role, stating that his passion for the company and its mission remains as strong as ever. Whether Ternus, Williams or another executive ultimately assumes the CEO role, Cook’s legacy will likely be defined by his remarkable ability to guide Apple through one of the most transformative periods in tech history. Until then, however, Cook has made it clear that he is not planning to step aside just yet, continuing to guide the company he’s helped shape for the last quarter-century.
