I have Debian 8 (Jessie) and have read that Debian has started using the Firefox browser again.
However, although I periodically use 'apt-get update' and 'apt-get upgrade' commands, I still don't have Firefox. I'm only have Iceweasel 38.8.0.

Do I need to do a 'dist-upgrade' or has Debian provided a tutorial on how to move to the new browser?
Thanks in advance.

You need to add the following entry in /etc/apt/sources.list or a new file in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/:

http://mozilla.debian.net/

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I'm not sure if Debian 8 will switch to Firefox automatically, even though the firefox-esr package does appear available for it. Maybe you will have to install it manually, like so:
(as root, obviously).

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All you need to do is
This will install firefox esr.

You dont need to edit any repository files.

Thank you. The link shows typical debian incompetence when it comes to communicating.

I'm going to add to the /etc/apt/sources.list file.

If I reboot, will I then have Firefox installed?

I don't understand why the page then goes on to explain 2 other methods of installing Firefox?

Also, the link says I may have to install a keyring package to add an archive key. So now it sounds complicated.

I'm wondering if there's a simple tried and tested way of installing a web browser without having to refer to the idiot programmers at debian.

Yes, this sounds right. However, what happens to my Iceweasel browser? Does it become the new Firefox or does it remain as an app on the system?

Also, the debian link given above says the command should be:Which one is correct and which one have you tried?

Yes, but the command you've given installs Iceweasel. I already have Iceweasel. I want to install Firefox which will now be supported by debian.

If you issue the command, you will see that it will install firefox-esr, not iceweasel. Trust me, i've done this on all my debian systems at home and at work.

I didnt make this up. I got it from the Debian website. You'll be fine.
https://wiki.debian.org/Iceweasel

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Iceweasel will be replaced by Firefox. There will still be an "iceweasel" command available, but it will simply be a link to the "firefox" executable.

I got Firefox when I upgraded Debian 8 to Testing, so I didn't actually install it under Debian 8. However, given that the "firefox-esr" package appears to be available in the standard jessie repositories, you should not need backports for it.

Thank you for the link. I have done the command and now I have Firefox browser.

I see. Well, it's good to know that no backports are needed to change from Iceweasel to Firefox.

However after using Iceweasel for years, debian could've waited until Firefox was in the standard repos so it could be installed by a simple command (even though 'apt-get install Iceweasel' is completely ridiculous).
But instead, they get you to add more code to the etc/apt/sources.list, offer commands where backports need to be added and then create a package which makes the previous two options completely unnecessary!

Thanks everyone for your help.

Your previous "iceweasel" package was already Firefox ESR.
The branding stuff was included in an update from the security repo and did not involve any user interaction.

Looks like as of this post, firefox-esr (not meta pacakge) is already in Debian's main repository from oldstable to unstable, and firefox is currently available for unstable and experimental.

From what I can see with my Debian 8.2 Jessie, iceweasel is firefox with another name.
The iceweasel sync brings up the my firefox account with all my bookmarks and preferences
intact.