‘Black update for Nokia Lumia 625 brings double-tap to wake feature

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

The Lumia 625 is an odd duckling amongst the Nokia range of Windows Phones. It’s not on many major carriers, and doesn’t garner a lot of attention, but it’s a darn cool phone. Coming in with a 4.7” display, the Lumia 625 is a budget phone with a big screen. It later inspired the massive Lumia 1320 too (review this week), with its rounded edges and wallet-friendly price.

One downside of lower cost phones is of course, less features. For example, the Nokia exclusive 'double-tap to wake' is found on most devices except the lower cost ones. The Lumia 520 has it, but only for AT&T. The Lumia 525 has it out of the box. The Lumia 625 doesn’t have it either. Until now.

Nokia has begun pushing out the Lumia Black firmware, which also includes Microsoft’s Update 3 to the Windows Phone 8 operating system. One new feature for Lumia 625 owners is the very ‘double tap to wake’ feature that was previously missing. The update came out a while ago, but we figured better late than never as one of our readers dutifully reminded us.

Users must go through the easy update process (Settings > Phone Update > Check for update) to get both the OS and firmware changes, and be on the latest version of Extras + Info and Touch apps from Nokia. Once completed, users can head into Settings > Touch and enable the ‘double tap to wake’ feature.

‘Double tap to wake’ enables the display to remain active, even when in standby. Users can then literally double tap the phone and the display will turn on. It’s useful for when wanting to check for messages or glance the Start screen one handed, as users can bypass the physical power button. Of course using this feature will consume a minimal amount of battery life, as nothing is free in life.

Unfortunately, the Glance screen feature (clock and notifications when the display is off) did not make it over to the Lumia 625. Like the Lumia 520 and Lumia 525, that feature is just not supported.

Have you updated your Lumia 625? Let us know how you like the Lumia Black update, which includes many new features, including camera improvements, Driver mode and more.

Via: WinPhoneViet; Thanks, tungha and InfernapeXavier, for the tips!

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

138 Comments
  • Any news on the t-mobile 925 getting the update
  • I was just going to ask this. Lol. +1
  • +2, 3, 4 & 5
  • I'm waiting to
  • L925 on T-Mobile we are in dark
  • Im surprised AT&T pushed it first.... Im ready for it. And 8.1 in a month or two. Probably 3 -_- I want a "major" update. Not these little updates that hardly change anything. We need more updates than we know what to do with. Something android and iOS didn't ALREADY have 5 years ago... AMEN
  • I know I find it funny t-mobile got the 925 first but gonna be last to get the black update
  • @SleepyTheDon... You probably can't see us Verizon Lumia 928 users next to you, but we're here in the dark as well.
  • I check every dang hour it seems. Stopped caring. 920
  • I check in the AM and afternoon. When I think about it I guess. Your not waiting for much honestly. Not a whole lot to write home about. Kinda sad... Obviously were desperate for new features. Or lacked features at the very LEAST
  • About the glance support. First somebody said, its due to the screen technology (screen memory) or the lack of the 1GB ram. Or its just a random step by Nokia to separate the budget category from the mid/high range? I own a 625, and this is one of the few reasons to get an interop unlock. But double tap its a good one too, but still waitong for approval for my carrier (telenor, hungary). Maybe tomorrow. (i have the preview program gdr3 since november, so im ok.. :) )
  • I believe its because the 625 and 52x's have el cheapo LCDs that won't handle glance as well as the better ones on the 720, 920. although AMOLED is best.
  • +820 hr hr hr
  • I think it is to do with the proximity sensor. My brother's 520 always senses a face and so he needs to click the lock button to turn the screen on to hang up a call and my dad's 625 doesn't sense a face and the screen stays on in a call so his face presses hold or mute in a call.
  • That's nice to know thanx and I still haven't got the update on my 625 I'm checking at least twice a day
  • Hi, I Just had a check for updates its started updateing on my L625 (INDIA) when i had check on nokia website for black update its still showing (Waiting for approval) check it out guys.   Thanks & Regards Altaf Nadaf
  • Are you serious or kidding Altaf.. Please show a screenshot.. i too want to update bt dnt have wifi. Please tell the truth..
  • lol , may be any different update.
  • in Extre+info its showing me LUMIA BLACK AND i have got all the new update which included in black apart from nokia Bemir & Glance & when i am trying to upload the image its saying me (You are not authorized to access this page. ) if you wann the scree shot mail me your id you will get proof
  • I got it too on my lumia 625. and for those who need a proof :p
    http://tinypic.com/r/2dt20lf/5
  • Cool did you did any trick our you just got it like tat dude :)
  • no tricks.
     
  • I still dint get it, wat abt u?
  • Does anyone know if 620 and 720, updated to amber, have double-tap-to-wake or not?
  • I have 620 amber, no double tap. Hoping to get it with black, just hoping :)
  • Same here for l620 coz, the touch settings show for mili second the option which reveals that it is possible.
  • Exactly^^
  • Oooh yeah! I had lost hope since in a lot of places it said that NL 620 doesn't support high sensitivity, like usage of the phone with gloves. Just hoping Black does it. :)
  • 720 NO, maybe with Black. Glance screen also sucks, to bright screen, it is clearly a cheap display, lucky for the phone design that saved it.
  • 620 with GDR 3+Amber,no DTTW
  • My mum has a 620 and I don't think double tap is useful for her. I don't even use it on my 925! Uses up battery. Whereas the glance screen with notifications can be very useful. I use it on interval setting so it switches off the screen in my pocket or bag but I can take it out and instantly know what's up. The 620 did an update to remove the glance notifications setting they weren't functioning so I hope it returns. It will be a big letdown if not.
  • Double tap to wake is simply easier than squeeeeeeezing the side buttons on my phone. So gutted Nokia didn't add it to the 620. Could they at least make a premium 3.7-4" phone so i can get double tap. The 620 is the best in its size range, nokia should give it some respect .
  • My brothers 620 didn't and it was updated to amber I couldn't find double tap to wake on it
  • Why can't they put glance screen? I hope they'd be able to add it as a feature even just a simple one like the stand-by time on Asha 501. I would rather have it than the double-tap-to-wake.
  • +625 Same here! I feel Glance is more useful than Double Tap.
  • The low cost lcd will not be able to handle it.
  • But the Asha 501 has standby time, I hope they would do even something as simple as that. I guess the Lumia 520 sports much advanced LCD than the one on Asha 501.
  • Of course, it's a darn cool phone, because I have it! Lol! Bought it last November and guess what? Didn't have to wait that long, I already got the Black update! Couldn't get any luckier than that! :D
  • The 625 is a great phone, though the 8gb is filling up uncomfortably fast (app2sd cant come soon enough!) Been running black for a couple of days now - phone is smooth as always, and battery life is great too. No random reboots (not that I've experienced any!). Good job Nokia!
  • Were do you live
  • Yep, that's the only downside to it, just 8gb. Oh, wait! The 512 RAM as well. Well, you really can't have everything, specially if it's a budget phone. Over all, am so happy with it! :)
  • Were do you live Poirots
  • Is it possible that double tap will come to the International 520 also?
  • possibly yes! i updated my 520 (not international - portugal vodafone) with black and it did come with double tap. but when you turn on that feature, once you lock the phone, there's this red thing (proximity sensor) always lightning and it really gets on my nerves!
  • Where's the 520/521 update? I know it's the cheapest phone in the lineup, but it also happens to be their best seller. MS/Nokia are taking too long with their updates. Look at how Google /Nokia are handling their Moto G rollout. Damn it, where is my 521 update!!!
  • Looks like Nokia is rolling it out down the lineup.
  • Look at how Google/Samsung are handling their updates...
  • I meant to say, Google/Motorola. For a cheap phone, Motorola is really putting all their weight behind the Moto G. 
  • Hey I still haven't got the update on my 625, oh but mine is actually 625H, does it matter? I'm from Indonesia
  • Hope it works for the 720
  • yes it does comes for 720 with black update  
  • REALLY? Thats awesome
  • How do you know that?
  • Are you sure? how do you know?
  • When the GDR3+black update is coming for Nokia Lumia 720 (India) ?
  • They will post it when it is released.
  • Hi Guys, Just had check for update its started updateing on my L625 (INDIA) when i had check on nokia website for black update its still showing (Waiting for approval) check it out guys.   Thanks & Regards Altaf Nadaf
  • Done I check my renewal in lumia 625 is not yet available. Is this not the real release. So when lumia 625 update for Indonesia in the country for this please give me advice
  • Hi Guys, I just Updated  from INDA it was black update check it out guys. :)
  • I'm a bit confused here. Someone please explain this. How come the AT&T L520 has the double-tap to wake feature? I assume it isn't hardware dependent (I may be wrong) so how come all the others don't?
    Perplexing why Nokia didn't roll out the same "touch" version to all models. Isn't it too small an app to be reserved for exclusivity and is there any other way one can get it updated on our humble devices..?
  • Hi junotkiichi,   If you have preview for developer installed in your phone then you will get all updates from nokia early.
  • I think i m the first person in INDIA to get lumia black update for Lumia 625 yeepppee :)   Thanks & Regards Altaf Nadaf
  • PLEASE POST A SCREEN SHOT.. TELL THE TRUTH
  • Its True Bro, i tried uploading the screen shot its not getting upload if you wanna the proof mail me ur email id i will mail you the screen shot
  • http://<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="wp_ss_20140122_0001.png" /></p>
  • where's the screen sht bro. please tell me the truth.. did u really updated 625 in india.. is yout lumia an india variant
  • I tried uploading screen shot but its not getting upload :(
  • wp_ss_20140122_0001.png
  • will we get double tap to wake up for 720 ?? =)
  • f
  •  
  • I got double tap on my 625 has & i think even 720 also will get it  
  • How did you get lumia black update for 625 when its not even released in India??? Desperately waiting to get the same in my Lumia 720. Please advise.
  • Screenshot is not visible.. Please re-upload...
  • The image is not getting upload :( i tried a lot if you wanna me to send the mail of screen shot i can do tat mail me your id  :)  
  • Glance>double tap
  • why not both?
  • Nice and i came across the article from gadgetride.com, which is about Lumia 1520 Vs Note 3... Great devices..
  • Loving my Lumia 520 with black =) was one of the lucky ones to get an email!!
  • its still witing 4 approval in nokiasite for india.. then how you could nly get it 4 625.. mail2jithin1991@gmail.com u bought ut phone from outside india
  • i am mailing you just have chk if possible upload the image from your side in this page ok :) ( NO, the phone which i bougth it from India bangalore i stay in bangalore)
  • Check it i have ent you the screen shot to you mail id from (altaf.nadaf16@gmail.com)
  • yes, recieved the mail.. i didnt get the update,, even my friends.. says phone is uptodate.. hw did you manage toget it even it is nt available in india
  • i just did some tricks for which you need have very storng wifi network if possible pls upload tat image from your side on this website.
  • We need this feature on Lumia 520s apart from the AT&T versions
  • Does NL 625 support 6 small column of Live tiles?
  • Following video shows Double tap to wakeup on 720 with lumia black on it......   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgcmXuqJcPA
  • OMG EXCITED!!!
  • Man will be so,cool it comes to my 720
  • Still waiting for Lumia Black to hit my Lumia 720 :)
  • Sorry - just woke up ( have a cold, not lazy, it's around 08:30 am here!)
    I live in the UK! Unlocked 625! :)
  • Even if I had the option of glance screen and double tap to wake I would dusable it is somewhat of a drain for your battery
  • L625 India !!! Finally updating !!! :)
  • Is der update rolling out for L625 ?
  • Yes. Update available for 625 in India.
  • Is your phone develpoer unlocked?? Because I am unable to see updates in my phone.
  • Guys my update process is showing an error code 801882d2 . Its not even on the Microsoft site . A little help ???? Plz
  • Check this link for error codes... Try a soft reset and then re-install/download...
  • That link isn't working.
  • M a bit of noob so how to do a soft reset ??? Thnx in advance
  • I m not sure if I can paste external link here. But here it is - http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/basics/solutions-to-update-... Check your error code in the table and follow the given remedial process.   For SOFT RESET, press Volume down + Power key for 10-15 seconds, then the phone will vibrate and restart. 
  • Thanks dude that helped !!! Enjoying my black update now !!! M way took excited !!!!
  • Well, i noticed something.
    When our screen rotation is locked and we visit about in settings, and incline the phone, the screen gets rotated to landscape orientation. This was done when phone was locked in portrait mode.
    I don't know this about other phones but happens in my Lumia 625
  • about and  extras+info will always rotate - its totally independent to the rotation settings
  • Working nicely for my L625. Im loving this Lumia Black update so far. Yeayyy! Love the new features xD Regards,
    Mira from Malaysia.
  • I'm way too excited for this update!! So many features!
  • Isn't the 520 capable of getting double tap to wake as well in that case? Even the 525 has it now.
  • I guess the 520 will get it too...
  • My wife just got this phone last week and dough i have a lumia 1020 i think its an awesome phone. it looks better in real as on most photos. We also had the lumia 520 but it broke but finally this is the phone she really needed and she is very happy with the bigger screenand front camera But i think the black update hasnt come through yet.  
  • Ehhh, still waiting for Rogers 920
  • Installed lumia black update on my 920 today. The phone keeps freezing and i need to restart. Has happened abt 4 times today!
  • The only thing i noticed with black on my L920 battery drain significantly higher with xbox sync on as opposed to amber. But have it off anyway. I was hoping to run some Bluetooth usage tests but my Bluetooth hands free has died on me lol.
  • i updated my lumia 625 yesterday and got gdr3 and double tap to wake but in extras and info still amber no black it's weird
  • You have to update the extras+info setting from the store.
  • Can't wait to catch on Lumia 520 & 720. :-(
  • Waiting for the black update on the lumia520
  • What will be the changes for the Black update for Lumia 520? Seems like nothing to get excited about for 520 users.
  • Perhaps those of you who are wondering about the progress of updates should have this bookmarked :P. http://www.nokia.com/global/support/software-update/wp8-software-update/
  • I keep double tap to wake on on my 928, but a lot of the time it doesn't work, I don't know why... I try to even alter my double taps but no matter what it still works just when it wants to.
  • What about 920 devices?
  • Hmm !! Glance is available for 520 (AT nd T) :'(
  • My phone is Lumia 625 and two days back I updated to Black  and after finishing the update my phone display screen which have all the live tiles app are appearing in Black colors and my lock screen is appearing only black even if I change the background photo its not appearing. When texting messages and chatting on wats-app my phone  keyboard is appearing in white display and black texts and black and white smiley icons.   Another important "Extras+info" is not working to see the update of my phone,what could be this issue is  this due to black update? Appreciate your quick help/response.     Thanks, Rakesh  Bangalore,India  
  • It is not NORMAL there is some problem with your device just take it to Nokia Care....
  • hi all, seriously do not know what could be the reason that this feature left out. It would be more important the glance screen than the dttw or something else. could someone explain to me why this is? btw the update has run flawlessly. cheers :-) 
  • its showing only lumia amber update in my lumia 625.. i'm not getting any information about lumia black update...  
  • Come on man. U r still talking about developer's 8.1. windows 8.1 update is going to be released this month. Look here at http://mobileswhisper.blogspot.in/?m=1 Its really a wonderful thing happening to our beloved Lumia 625. Cheers :)
  • After updating the current Win8 to Lumia Black my entire touch option dissapear from settings menu, which i havent expected since only for the touch double tap facility i had updated the software Please help?