The Financial Times recently suggested that succession planning had intensified and that an announcement might arrive in early 2026. That timeline is now being pushed back by multiple credible sources. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says there are few signs inside Apple that Cook is preparing to exit, and the idea of a spring transition is simply not grounded in the reality of how the company is operating today.
Cook has led Apple since 2011 and overseen one of the biggest growth periods in its history. The company grew from a valuation of around 350 billion dollars to more than 4 trillion under his leadership. Because of that track record, Gurman notes that Cook has earned the space to determine his own timing. Internal indicators also do not point to a pending handover, and there is no sense that Cook is being pushed toward a deadline.
The Financial Times report stood out because of its confidence and the unusually large number of bylines attached to it. That level of coordination typically means strong sourcing. Still, the follow up from Bloomberg and others suggests the story may have overreached. There were also theories that the report could have come from Apple as a market test, but Gurman says this is not the case.
Other reporting echoes this assessment. Analysts following Apple’s leadership rhythm say a formal transition before WWDC 2026 is unlikely, and it is more realistic that Cook remains in place at least through the current US presidency, which runs until January 2029. Cook recently turned 65, but there have been no public signs of health issues or internal pressure to accelerate a retirement timeline.
Whenever Cook does step down, hardware engineering chief John Ternus is widely viewed as the frontrunner to take over. Ternus is already one of Apple’s most influential leaders, and Bloomberg’s reporting continues to position him as the likeliest pick for the eventual transition. Even then, Cook is expected to stay on as chairman of the board to provide continuity.
For now, though, the message from Bloomberg is clear: Tim Cook is not leaving in early 2026, and the timeline described in the Financial Times report does not align with internal signals. Apple is preparing for the future, but the transition is not imminent.
(via Bloomberg)
