Confused about message regarding metadata popup

[pixeltaker]

I had to import my .dng files from another external drive.  All photos were imported but not with folder names, only dates.  All of the photos when accessed through the library module come up with this message when I click on the small message icon on the top right of the photo:

The metadata for this photo has been changed by another application. Should Lightroom import settings from disk or overwrite disk settings with those from the catalog?

I'm not sure which option to select:  settings from disk or overwrite disk settings.

Any help will be appreciated.  (I am using desktop version of Lightroom Classic CC)

[Ian Lyons]

The message is telling you that Lightroom has determined that the file(s) were changed outside of Lightroom after they were imported. If you know that is not the case and the metadata shown in Library module along with any develop adjustments is correct then you can choose the overwrite setting on disk.

[pixeltaker]

Thank you.  I will check out if my original develop adjustments are there.  So, if they aren't, I should not choose overwrite.  Is that correct? 

[Ian Lyons · Accepted solution]

If you're original develop adjustments are missing in Lr then choose import from disk option. Ideally, you should initially only do this for a few images to make sure that it doesn't overwrite other important metadata already in Lr. If all is as it should be for these few test files then you can undertake same procedure in bulk for remainder.

[Ian Lyons]

pixeltaker  wrote

Thank you.  I will check out if my original develop adjustments are there.  So, if they aren't, I should not choose overwrite.  Is that correct? 

Yes, that's correct.

[arpixron]

I have the same problem. not every photo taken from my iPhone XS but 50% or so, and no reason, just randomly. the added info when I choose "Ovewrwrite Settings" is the now addition of "Sidecar Files : xmp" uh...what is that?  the iPhone uses *.HEIC as its file type now of course. is that the issue?    NEXT:  regardless, how do I choose ONLY ALL of the files that have this needful a choice to be made and do it for all files at once? I have hundreds if not a few thousand pictures (hey an iPhone takes lots of pix) and helfof them randomly have this.