VFR flight = VFR flight rules. From the OP’s statement, one can infer that although a discreet beacon code was given, an IFR clearance was not. Essentially ATC provided basic VFR flight following services and maybe some limited vectoring. The question remains, was a “practice” ILS in VFR conditions what was requested? If so, then aborting the approach and avoiding Class D airspace before establishing comms with the tower was good ADM. Just my opinion based on the info presented.