Tim Cook Succeeded Steve Jobs as Apple CEO Nine Years Ago Today - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Tim Cook Succeeded Steve Jobs as Apple CEO Nine Years Ago Today

Nine years ago today, on August 24, 2011, Steve Jobs stepped down as Apple CEO for the final time. Jobs was immediately named Apple's chairman, with then-COO Tim Cook taking over leadership of the company.

Tim Cook Steve Jobs
Jobs sadly passed away just six weeks later, on October 5, one day after Apple introduced the iPhone 4s with Siri. He was 56. His death resulted in an outpouring of condolences from family, friends, colleagues, Apple fans, and notable figures around the world, ranging from Steve Wozniak to Bill Gates to former President Barack Obama.

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being," said Cook. "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Apple under Cook has grown to become the world's most valuable company. While nothing has truly compared to the iPhone, perhaps the most successful consumer product of all time, one major device introduced during Cook's tenure is the Apple Watch, praised for its life-saving features like the ECG app, Emergency SOS calling, and fall detection.

Cook has previously said that Jobs' DNA will always be the foundation of Apple, which named the Steve Jobs Theater after him in 2017.

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Chengdu China

Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026

Monday October 12, 2026 6:54 am PDT by
Tim Cook is visiting China for the third time this year, with talks in Guangdong focused on expanding Apple's manufacturing and sales operations, the South China Morning Post reports. This is Cook's first China trip in his capacity as Apple's executive chairman. He moved into the position on September 1 when John Ternus took over as CEO. Apple has said part of Cook's work involves...
apple 1 bonhams

Rare Apple-1 With Steve Jobs Letter Sells for $1.15 Million

Thursday October 15, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
The "Hatfield" Apple-1 has sold for $1,148,200 including the buyer's premium, setting a world auction record for a commercially sold Apple-1, according to Bonhams. Two bidders competed for 28 minutes before the October 14 auction closed, taking the working computer beyond its $500,000 to $800,000 estimate. The machine takes its name from original owner Fred Hatfield, who complained to...
Apple Logo and Turkiye Flag Feature

Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits

Monday November 9, 2026 8:32 am PST by
Apple today announced that it will open five new Apple Developer Academies, one Apple Developer Center, and one Apple Manufacturing Academy in Türkiye. Apple's executive chairman Tim Cook is currently touring Türkiye, meeting with the company's retail employees, app developers, content creators, an athlete, and...

Top Rated Comments

81 months ago
Can't argue with Apple's financial success under Cook but I miss the Steve Jobs passion for products!
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
81 months ago
Craig Federighi - Apple's Next CEO.



Attachment Image
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Awesome Avatar
81 months ago
Congrats on 9 years, Tim! You had massive shoes to fill, and you’ve done great.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1applerules1 Avatar
81 months ago


Attachment Image
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Andres Cantu Avatar
81 months ago
I really miss the humor that would sometimes popup in Steve's keynotes. And he had a way of presenting things that would make you exponentially more excited for their products than otherwise would be.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dapa0s Avatar
81 months ago
I think Tim has done a great job. Rip Steve
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1
1 hour ago
Apple Releases iOS 27.2.1 With Bug Fixes
Apple Releases iOS 27.2.1 With Bug Fixes
1 hour ago
Apple Releases watchOS 27.2.1 and visionOS 27.2.1 With Security Fixes
Apple Releases watchOS 27.2.1 and visionOS 27.2.1 With Security Fixes
1 hour ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Gets $99 Amazon Discounts, Starting at $699.99
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Gets $99 Amazon Discounts, Starting at $699.99
1 hour ago
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
Apple Pay Ad Features Martial Arts Convenience Store Food Fight
2 hours ago
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
Apple Continues to Say Some AI Features Will Have Fees for Extra Usage
2 hours ago
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
Apple Announces Türkiye Expansion Plans as Tim Cook Visits
3 hours ago
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
Singapore Saved Apple $2.7 Billion in Taxes This Year
3 hours ago
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean
3 hours ago
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
This Could Be Your Last Chance to Pre-Order the HomeView at a Discount
4 hours ago
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
Some HomePod Mini 2 Buyers Returning Units Over Mac Speaker Issues
4 hours ago
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
4 hours ago
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
4 hours ago
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
5 hours ago
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
6 hours ago
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
6 hours ago
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
7 hours ago
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
7 hours ago
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
7 hours ago
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
16 hours ago
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
1 day ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
1 day ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
2 days ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
2 days ago
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
3 days ago
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
3 days ago
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
3 days ago
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
3 days ago
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
3 days ago