Installing Rosetta 2 on this system is not supported.

Rosetta is not an app that you need to open. Rosetta works automatically in the background whenever you use an app built only for Mac computers with an Intel processor. It translates the app for use with Apple silicon.

In most cases, you won't notice any difference in the performance of an app that needs Rosetta. But you should contact the app developer to inquire about a version that can natively use the full power and performance of Apple silicon.

Rosetta 2 in built into macOS Big Sur and  Monterey. It is only available on Apple Computer with the Silicon M1 CPU. 

There are three categories / types of software that can run on the Operations System.

Only Intel Binary Code. This is software will invoke Rosetta 2 to translate the Intel binaries so the operation system can understand and execute the Application. The Applications must be 64 Bit to function on Big Sur and Monterey

Universal Binary Software.  It contains Both Intel and M1 ARMs binary code and refer to (  Universal 2 ) When the user installs a 64 bit Application that contains Both Intel and M1 ARMs binaries - depending on factors, the Operating System may or may not invoke Rosetta 2.

“ Apple Silicon “ Checking in System Information >> Applications  >> as of now, only see One Application classified as Apple Silicon and that is “ Rosetta 2 Updater “.

That would make perfect sense since it is specifically designed to operate only on Apple Silicon M1 ARMs based computers 

SchoolITMan19 wrote:

But the SAAS platform reports the OS telling it 10.16

As I said, it is wrong.

Question is, how do I install rosetta 2?

Are you certain it's not installed? Check System Information > Software > Installations. Scroll down…

Exactly as @dialabrain has illustrated in the above image and to add my own image below that.

So, is the User ( you ) indicating None of the above and below images outlining Rosetta 2 updates are appearing in Installation section of System Report

Understand, we are all working Remotely from all around the world. Therefore, we do not have the On-Hands experience the User ( you ) has with this computer.

So the below suggestion will be the next best thing to actually having the computer(s) in our possession

Suggest downloading the Application Etrecheck directly from a well Respected ASC Contributor. And Safe to use.

The application is free or paid from added features. 

Run the application with Full Disc Access ( Security & Privacy - Full Disc Access ).

It will take a Snap Shot -  both the hardware and software.

 The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last )

We can have a look at the report for possible issues and may have possible suggestions to resolve the issues.

SchoolITMan19 wrote:

I'm trying to install Rosetta 2 on a several unmanaged Macbook Air M1 running Max OSX 10.16…

FWIW, macOS 10.16 was the first beta version of Big Sur. Are you sure that's what is installed? Check "About This Mac" from the Apple menu.

I ordered my M1 MacBook Air in the first hour it went on sale. It shipped with Big Sur 11.0 and certainly wasn't referred to as 10.16. I've upgraded it to Monterey 12.4 but I still have two Mac laptops running Big Sur 11.6.6 and neither is referred to as 10.6 internally.

I have no idea what it is you have.

Log into the MacBook Air directly, and perform the Rosetta 2 install operation there.

This VNC/RDP/ARD app you’re using to access the Mac may be involved, or may not be.

Trying to run multiple parallel logins (as I’d suspect is happening here) can have its limits.

I’d also look into acquiring and installing Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), and seeing if that works better here.

If the two “security” apps you’re installing here still need Rosetta, then you’re installing what are seemingly unmaintained apps. Consider alternatives. ARD will address one of those two apps too.

SchoolITMan19 wrote:

Well I have a M1 Macbook air running Monterey, under about me it says Monterey v 12.4. But internally (ie: not visable ot the GUI), it reports it's OS verison to management apps as 10.16.

FWIW, whatever app is reporting 10.16 is misidentifying what is installed. Probably because the developer wrote 10.16 in the app.

As already stated, 10.16 is a beta. The final release was macOS 11...

Just to add, the M1 MacBook Air was never shipped with macOS 10.16 so I don't know how it could have been installed.